Early voting low
AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Texas voters were deciding Tuesday whether to approve 11 state constitutional amendments, among them propositions to limit eminent domain power, guarantee public beach access and help fund more top-tier research universities.
Gov. Rick Perry and other state leaders urged the passage of propositions, particularly the ones addressing research universities and dealing with eminent domain.
Only spotty opposition emerged to any of the proposed amendments.
The Texas Secretary of State's Office did not give a projection for how many of the state's approximately 13 million registered voters would likely turn out. Early balloting in the 15 counties with the most registered voters showed only 2.44 percent voted. Early voting was highest in Harris County, where a Houston mayor's race was on the ballot.
On the statewide ballot, Proposition 4 would create a national research university fund out of $500 million in existing state money. Currently, Texas has three top-level research universities: the University of Texas at Austin; Texas A&M University and Rice University. It lags behind other big states like California and New York, proponents said. Seven other Texas universities are vying to achieve so-called Tier One status.
The Texas Farm Bureau, Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison all stumped for Proposition 11 to limit eminent domain powers. It would state in the constitution that governments are prevented from seizing private property and giving it to a private developer to boost the tax base.
One group opposed to Proposition 11 is the private property and anti-toll road organization Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, which said the proposed amendment leaves open loopholes and doesn't address issues like diminished access to remaining land after an eminent domain seizure.
Proposition 9 would underscore in the Texas Constitution the state's open beaches law. Backers said it would protect public beach access from lawsuits or legislative interference, while opponents said it could erode private property rights.
All the ballot propositions had to win two-thirds passage in the Legislature to go before voters.
