Voting for this year’s Texas Constitutional Amendment Election begins at 7 a.m. today, and among the 11 propositions on the ballot, Proposition 4 directly impacts potential progress for Texas Tech.
Locations in the area near Tech include the Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 1510 Ave. X, Roscoe Wilson Elementary School at 2807 25th St., Ace Hardware at 4426 34th St. and Sunset Church of Christ at 3723 34th St.
Lubbock registered voters also can find voting locations by texting their zip code to 75044. A reply text will be sent back with the closest locations available.
All of the polling locations in Lubbock will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for voters registered in Lubbock.
Voters are being asked to vote for a constitutional amendment to create a National Research University Fund, or NRUF, to help seven emerging research universities in Texas reach tier-one status. The universities that would benefit from the amendment are Tech, the University of Houston, the University of Texas at Arlington, UT-El Paso, UT-San Antonio, UT-Dallas and the University of North Texas.
The proposition, co-sponsored by Texas Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, is designed to increase research efforts and enhance the reputation of higher education in Texas without requiring new state spending.
Kendra Baker, a junior advertising major from Lubbock, said she looks forward to the economic value tier-one status can bring.
“Between the pamphlets handed out by the SGA and seeing Prop 4 on the news, it seems like Lubbock needs this,” Baker said. “I don’t know about the other universities and their surrounding cities, but Lubbock’s rapid economic development needs a university with a larger system and higher academic credentials. Prop 4 will make this happen.”
Lee Heaton, a junior biology major from Wichita Falls, said he has always felt Tech was at tier-one status.
“I love my university,” Heaton said. “It’s about time Tech receives the recognition for the university it has always been. Regardless of the outcome of the election, Tech will always produce high-quality research and appeal to bright students.”
Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby said in a pro-Texas for tier-one Web site that the low number of tier-one universities in Texas causes many students to seek their post-high-school college education elsewhere. Texas also loses an estimated $3.7 billion in potential students.
Texas has three Tier One universities — UT Austin, Texas A&M and Rice University — compared to California’s nine and New York’s seven.
Tech Chancellor Kent Hance said in an e-mail to students, faculty and staff that tier-one institutions have a tremendous impact on economic development and prosperity.
The other propositions are:
Proposition 1: The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.
Proposition 2: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.
Proposition 3: The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.
Proposition 5: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.
Proposition 6: The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.
Proposition 7: The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.
Proposition 8: The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.
Proposition 9: The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.
Proposition 10: The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.
Proposition 11: The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State.
Source: Texas Legislative Council Web site
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