Early voting has already begun and runs through Oct. 30. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. election day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

“Texans are voting on 11 proposed constitutional amendments that were voted on and approved earlier this year by the 81st Texas Legislature,” said Heflin.

Included among the propositions are amendments strengthening private property rights (Prop. 11), establishing the national research fund to help more Texas universities reach premiere research status (Prop. 4), authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue additional general obligation bonds (Prop. 6) and authorizing the state to fund, operate and maintain veterans’ hospitals (Prop. 8).

Heflin noted that many people have received an e-mail claiming that Propositions 2 and 3 authorize a state property tax. “These proposals do not create a state property tax,” said Rep. Heflin.  “Rather, Propositions 2 and 3 are the result of studies conducted during 2008 by the House Select Committee on Appraisal Reform and Property Tax Relief and by the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps.”

“Proposition 2 proposes giving relief to homeowners when the areas around their residences are being redeveloped, which can drive up property values,” Heflin explained. “Appraisers use an appraisal standard known as ‘highest and best use,’ and Proposition 2 authorizes residential homesteads to be appraised solely on the basis of their value as a residence homestead instead of what appraisers might consider the property’s ‘highest and best use.’”

Heflin continued, “Proposition 3 provides that uniform standards and procedures be used for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes and strengthens state oversight of appraisal methodologies which can vary from appraisal district to appraisal district. Proposition 3 would not affect any constitutional provision prohibiting the statewide appraisal of real property for ad valorem taxation.”

The Texas Constitution was ratified in 1876 and has been amended 456 times. Heflin encourages all of his constituents to study the proposed amendments and decide whether they should be added to the state’s 133 year-old Constitution. Ballot language and an in-depth analysis of each proposal is available at www.tlc.state.tx.us/pubsconamend/analyses09/analyses09.pdf.

Heflin represents Texas House District 85, which includes Borden, Glasscock and Howard. He may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512-463-0604, at his district office in Crosbyton, 806-675-1583 or in Big Spring at 432-213-2897.