The San Angelo Voting Guide for Election Day Nov. 5, 2013

It's election day in Tom Green County! Sure, this election is nothing but ballot initiatives, but how the state decides these propositions will have long, enduring effects on our state and local governments. Here's how we recommend you approach the ballot today.

Prop 1

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.

Observation: Texas already exempts property taxes for disabled veterans to an extent - this amendment would offer the same to surviving spouses that do not re-marry.

Prop 2

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment eliminating an obsolete requirement for a State Medical Education Board and a State Medical Education Fund, neither of which is operational.

Observation: Neither the State Medical Education Board or the State Medical Education Fund exist anymore. Why are their remnants still on the books? Do away with them by voting YES.

Prop 3

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment to authorize a political subdivision of this state to extend the number of days that aircraft parts that are exempt from ad valorem taxation due to their location in this state for a temporary period may be located in this state for purposes of qualifying for the tax exemption.

Observation: Want to keep operation costs down for commercial airlines in Texas? We do. Let's continue to grow SJT, SAT, AUS, MAF, ELP, LBB, ABI, IAH, DFW and DAL with smart tax policy.

Prop 4

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.

Observation: Texas births more soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen than most states - we have a duty as taxpayers to repay our debts to disabled veterans. Voting YES will keep these good people from having to pay taxes on charitable income – at a very low cost to the State’s general revenue funds.

Prop 5

LIVE! Recommends: NO

Ballot: The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.

Observation: I don’t care who former Senator Fred Thompson is, or what he advocates on TV. Reverse mortgages are evil. Did we learn nothing from the last housing market crash? The only thing worse than forcing lenders to issue mortgages to people with no money down or collateral is Prop 5. If seniors want a new homestead, they can sell their existing property and pursue a traditional mortgage like everyone else. Besides that, reverse mortgages are a tool of the income redistribution lobby, or Obama-nuts. Don’t make it easy for your momma to spend your inheritance on a cruise, and deny you your birthright.

Prop 6

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.

Observation: It's not just Texas' metropolitan areas that are growing. The western and southern regions of Texas like San Angelo and Midland are booming thanks to some of the largest oil plays in history. These areas are not always flush with fresh water for private and commercial consumption, however. Prop 6 will help local jurisdictions leverage financial agreements to pursue infrastructure and other water-related projects. And according to our Texas Senator Bobby Duncan, most of the $2 billion set aside by this amendment will never be tapped. Their intentions are to use that money as the backstop for short-term loan guarantees that will help projects get moving.

Prop 7

LIVE! Recommends: NO

Ballot: The constitutional amendment authorizing a home-rule municipality to provide in its charter the procedure to fill a vacancy on its governing body for which the unexpired term is 12 months or less.

Observation: Beware of carefully-worded amendments that reduce voter engagement at the local level. Right now, for example, Judge Brown is stepping down a year before his term is up. The Texas Constitution mandates what is, and is not appropriate for seating his replacement. What if Brown had the commission vote to not allow a special election at all? You could lose your voice in the process by voting yes for Prop 7. So, save your voice and vote NO with force.

Prop 8

LIVE! Recommends: YES

Ballot: The constitutional amendment repealing Section 7, Article IX, Texas Constitution, which relates to the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

Observation: Hidalgo County should be allowed to create a local hospital district like every other county in Texas. I’m not sure I’d like to be treated in it, but hey! Each to his or her own!

Prop 9

LIVE! Recommends: NO

Ballot: The constitutional amendment relating to expanding the types of sanctions that may be assessed against a judge or justice following a formal proceeding instituted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Observation: Again, beware of sneaky wording in amendments. If a judge violates conduct statutes, Prop 9 would allow for weaker sanctions to be handed down instead of the limited menu of public admonition, warning, reprimand, censure or mandated continuing education. Let's not open a wider gap for politics to be played.

Polls are open across Tom Green County and the San Angelo, Tx area from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here are the locations:

A sample ballot for the Nov. 5, 2013 Texas election for Tom Green County