2007 Texas Constitutional Amendment Facts
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Proposition 4 is one of 16 constitutional amendments that will go before Texas voters in the Nov. 6, 2007 statewide election. Proposition 4 stems from Senate Joint Resolution 65 and is part of significant new funding for state parks appropriated by the 80th Texas Legislature, but this part requires voter approval. It would also provide repair and renovation funding for DPS crime labs, historic sites and other facilities.
Proposition 4 would authorize up to $1 billion in bonds to pay for maintenance, improvement, repair, and construction projects for nine state agencies, including Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Historical Commission, Department of Public Safety, Department of State Health Services, Department of Aging and Disability Services, Youth Commission, Building and Procurement Commission, Adjutant General's Department, and Department of Criminal Justice.
Texas State Parks stand to get up to $52 million in bond authority from Proposition 4 in 2008-2009. This includes $27 million for major repairs at parks across the state and $25 million to help fund a new dry berth for long-term preservation of the Battleship TEXAS.
Texas historic sites and courthouses would get up to $48 million from Proposition 4 in 2008-2009, which would help fund needed repairs at 20 historic sites and continue Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program matching grants for cities and towns statewide.
Proposition 4 would also improve statewide crime fighting by funding up to $200 million for the Department of Public Safety in 2008-2009. This would pay for new and expanded crime labs in cities across Texas to speed up turnaround time for evidence analysis and prepare for caseload growth in the future. Most current crime labs are close to 30 years old with caseloads now up to eight times their original scope.
The ballot language for Proposition 4 will read: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of up to $1 billion in bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for maintenance, improvement, repair, and construction projects and for the purchase of needed equipment.”
A coalition of state agencies affected by Proposition 4 is working to help educate and inform voters, explaining how bond funds would be spent and how this will affect the public. State agencies are not advocating for or against the proposition, but they are urging citizens and state employees to get informed about Proposition 4 and exercise their right to vote.