This post is from Burnt Orange Report's coverage of the 2009 Constitutional Amendment election. For coverage of the 2011 Constitutional Amendment election, CLICK HERE.
Early voting ends tomorrow for the 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election. Seeing as how few people have voted (we've barely cracked 1% in Travis County), it's high time you get down there and cast your ballot, especially in favor of Proposition 4, which will fund top-tier research universities here in Texas. That ballot measure alone makes it worth dragging yourself out to vote.
In case you haven't seen them, Burnt Orange Report issued endorsements on the ballot proposition. You can also check out other endorsements in our overviews of each proposition (and, ahem, in the box at the upper right). BOR even made the Ballotpedia's round-up of endorsements from media outlets across the state. Pretty cool!
Turnout has been light, save for in Houston, where a hotly contested Mayoral Election serving to drive turn-out to the polls. Today, current Houston Mayor and US Senate candidate Bill White announced his strong support for Propositions 4 and 8.
Bill White on Proposition 4:
Improving higher education is critical to our nation's future. For Americans to win in a world economy based on our skills and knowledge, we must make smart investments now. Currently Texas only has two public national academic research universities, but there are seven universities across the state that have the potential to achieve national prominence. By investing resources in higher education on the front end, Texas universities could set themselves up to lead the nation in higher education, keep more of our talented students in the state, and receive more research grants, all which promote long-term economic growth in Texas.
Bill White on Proposition 8:
With Proposition 8, Texans can make sure that our military veterans receive what they deserve. Proposition 8 would give the state government authority to contribute funding to the nine in-patient veterans hospitals that serve more than 1.7 million veterans in Texas. By allowing state funds to be combined with federal funds, veterans' services and facilities could expand and improve.
 Making sure that veterans receive the respect and resources they deserve is an issue that hits home for me. My father (pictured to the side) is a disabled WWII veteran who went to college on the GI Bill, and I was able to go to the college of my choice because of the American Legion. I have not forgotten those who serve our country, and as mayor, I joined other elected officials to create the Returning Veteran Initiative (RVI). This special initiative, which has been recognized by the Military Affairs Council, gives returning veterans the welcome they've earned with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. Since its implementation in 2007, the Department of the Army has recognized the program as one of the finest in the country and Houston has been named one of the most military friendly cities to live and work.
- Find your Early Voting location HERE.
- Find your Election Day voting location HERE.
Now go vote! |
