Voters approve all propositions on statewide ballot
AUSTIN (AP) — Texans gave overwhelming support to a proposition that limits the government's power of eminent domain.
Proposition 11 had 80 percent of the vote favoring it, and 20 percent against, after more than 300,000 votes were counted in Tuesday's election.
It was the last of 11 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, but one of those that got the most attention. The Texas Farm Bureau, Gov. Rick Perry and his Republican primary rival, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, all campaigned in favor of it.
The amendment bans governments in Texas from seizing private property and giving it to a private developer to boost the tax base.
A proposition to guarantee public beach access also sailed to victory, as did a proposal to help build more veterans hospitals.
Homestead appraisal proposition wins approval
Constitutional amendments affecting how homes can be appraised for taxation and providing for statewide appraisal standards won the approval of Texas voters.
Proposition 2 states that a residence homestead can only be taxed on the property's value as a residence, not at the higher commercial land use value.
Another constitutional amendment winning passage in Tuesday's election keeps the Veterans' Land Board from having to continually go to the Legislature to issue general obligation bonds.
Two other approved propositions allow Texas State Guard members to hold other civil offices and limit the length of terms of emergency service district board members.
Research fund, other propositions pass
Proposition 4, a heavily pushed constitutional amendment to help create more top-tier research universities, has won approval from Texas voters.
The amendment would create a national research university fund out of $500 million in existing state money. State leaders from both political parties urged that voters give it their OK in Tuesday's election.
Currently, Texas has three top-level research universities: the University of Texas at Austin; Texas A&M University and Rice University. Seven others are in contention to reach Tier One status.
Voters approved all 11 propositions on the statewide ballot.
