From our president Barb Walters:
There is typically low turnout in a non-election year, but there are some important constitutional amendments that need your voice. I’ve written about my concerns of Prop 3 not passing (Allow the state to issue general obligation bonds to finance student loans).  I recommend voting YES == as opposed to the Tea Party stance which would do away with all loans on the off-chance a non-citizen would get one.

Below is an email from an educator asking for a “NO” vote on Prop 6 (Clarifying references to the Permanent School Fund) for your consideration.

The Democratic Blog is a good place to get details on the amendments and links to resources like the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group.

On Prop 6 — From an educator in the public sector:

“I am extremely apprehensive that the Texas state legislature is about to take over the Permanent School Fund and put it in general revenue for them to spend at will! I urge everyone who cares about the future of education in Texas to analyze AMENDMENT SIX! Early voting has already started, and the general election will be on Tuesday, November, 8 2011.

The legislature has tried many tactics to take control of this money over the years, and I’m afraid they will succeed this time. This is a non-election year and they count on very few people turning out to vote. There has been almost no discussion on this amendment so please spread the word about AMENDMENT “6”. I encourage you to vote November 8, 2011 and Vote “NO” on Amendment 6. Please share this email to all on your email.
With regards,

Larry J. Taylor – Education Specialist – Field Service
Education Service Center Region XV”

From the Democratic blog about Prop 3 and then Prop 6:

SJR 50 – Would allow the state to issue general obligation bonds to finance student loans.
Proposition3: The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students.”

For – Would permit issuance of general obligation bonds to finance educational loans to students.

Note: This program would effectively continue an existing low-interest, fixed-rate student loan program (Hinson-Hazlewood, created in 1965 and managed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board), which had a dollar limit periodically renewed and raised. This raises the current limit of $125 million to $350 million; the program has a long record of success and a good repayment record. Free public higher education would be the best alternative, but that’s not currently in the cards. The market might one day blanch at these bonds, but they’ve been working well for nearly 60 years.

Proposition 6: HJR 109 – Would allow more money to be transferred from the Permanent School Fund, a pot of constitutionally guaranteed money generated from the sale of state property that goes to finance Texas public schools to the Available School Fund, which is the pot of money the Legislature is allowed to draw from to spend on Texas schools. It would allow the General Land Office to distribute revenue from the fund, and it would increase the market value of the permanent school fund, allowing schools to get more money.

The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment clarifying references to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education, and providing for an increase in the market value of the permanent school fund for the purpose of allowing increased distributions from the available school fund.”

For – Would allow inclusion of permanent school fund real property assets in calculating the fund’s market value (now confined to the value of the fund’s investments), thereby increasing available monies ($300 million annually) for distribution to schools.

Note: The income from sales and leases of property and royalties that must currently be returned first to the fund would under this amendment be available for direct distribution to the permanent school fund, which lends greater flexibility to the fund. (see: House Considers Accounting Maneuver To Slightly Ease School Funding Crisis)

Please vote!

Barb Walters, TDWCC President