The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 150, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1995 Page: 2 of 6
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Tarleton State University.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 2
Texan Commentary■
J-TAC
October 19,1995
Don't wait till the lunchtime hour
Closed campus angers student
The telephone is a vital part of
communication in the world today.
However, the TSU campus has not
caught on to this trend,
Monday I was stranded in
Weatherford while I waited for my
car to be repaired. At noon I tried
to call my teachers to tell them why
I was not in class. Granted noon is
the hour most everyone takes for
lunch, I still thought I could leave a
message for my teachers.
I dialed 1-817-968-9000, which
I might add is long distance from
where I live, and waited for an
answer.
Editor-in-Chief
Traci Evans
Managing Editor
Charles Crittenden, Jr.
Commentary Editor
Todd Whitehead
Sports Editor
Chris McBride
Justin Beam
John Cox
Ann Davenport
Staff
Writers
Adviser
Jacque Jebo
Production Manager
Keith Ordeneaux
Advertising Manager
Nikki Galbreath
Photographers
Rob Macchietto
Robert Benton
Christine Tandy
Richard Tannary
Mark Davis
John Michael
Rachel Carson
The J-TAC is published on Thursdays during the regular semester with the exception of univer-
sity holidays and examination periods.
The editorials express the opinions of the J-TAC staff. Other articles in the opinions section do
not necessarily express the views of this university or this newspaper.
Letters to the editor must contain a name, phone number and copy of student ID. However, the
name may be withheld by request if the previous information is given.
Non-profit organization. Bulk Rate USPS No. 133* Stephenvilie, TX 76401.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Finally I decided to call 9001
and I hoped I would still get a TSU
entity and I did. A friendly voice
from the university police depart-
ment connected me to the science
department where an unidentified
man answered and said,
"Everyone's gone to lunch. The
campus pretty much shuts down at
noon."
The majority of TSU students
are not from Stephenvilie. Calling
the university is long distance for
people planning to attend TSU,
commuters and faculty who, com-
mute.
My mother works at
Weatherford Junior College and
when I call her from my home in
Stephenvilie, I can dial 1-800-287-
5471 at no cost. This number is
not only of use to me, but to any
prospective student who may not
reside within the area code of
Weatherford.
^ If TSU will not offer this inex-
pensive public relations tool at least
have the common courtesy to have
someone available to answer the
main phone line at all times during
TSU's work hours.
Christine Tandy
mw
SWWWI)
'i !
P ^ Voter's Guide to the Constitutional Amendments & m
to be Considered on November 7,1995 EmA
Prepared by the Free Market Foundation • P.O. Box 740367 • Dallas, TX 7S374-0367
1
i t ■>
Authorizes the Texas Education Board to issue $300 million in
bonds to finance student loans. The amendment would increase
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's bonding
authority from $660 million to $960 million.
... •■Jos'::,
. •/
Could provide state loans to finance students' education with a
program that is self-supporting. Bonds must be repaid by
students so that no revalue is taken from the General Revenue
Fund. This amendment attempts to extend the life of a program
that currently makes loans available to approximatelyj20,000
students a year. if Mir
Would free up funds from The Grand Lodge of Texas to spend
on other state charities. According to the Senate Research
Center, the Masonic Fraternity spends more than $80 million
annually on charity in Texas.
j
If approved, this amendment would authorize the" sale and j
issuance of general obligation bonds (G.O. bonds). These bonds j
add to the state debt, and voters are not informed of the state's
total bond indebtedness when they approve them. Also, the state
is ultimately responsible for G.O. bonds if a student defaults
payment.
fe——
2
Authorizes the Texas Legislature to exempt The Grand Lodge of
Texas, a charitable organization, from property taxes. Some of
their 916 lodges in Texas have been declared historical
landmarks, which caused property values and property taxes to
increase dramatically.
Considering the fact that there are 916 lodges in Texas, local
governments would lose approximately $ 1 million from property
tax revenues. Also, this unfairly allows only one type of chari-
table organization to be exempt from property taxes.
3
Authorizes the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority to use $200
million of the $500 million in bonds already authorized as part of
the state's Farm and Ranch Land Finance Program. The $200
million would be used to guarantee loans to purchase farm and
ranch land.
Would allow the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide
farmers and ranchers with a more flexible finance program
without having to authorize state debt The program would use
money that has already been authorized for agricultural use.
Although the $500 million for the state's Farm and Ranch Land
Finance Program was authorized in 1985, it was never imple-
mented. This proposal could continue a dangerous trend: taking
money saved and spending it to expand an already existing
program. Also, the state is ultimately liable for G.O. bonds.
4
Authorizes Texas homeowners to refinance their homes to pay off
a tax debt owed to the Internal Revalue Service or, in the case of
a divorce, to purchase a spouse's equity in the home.
Would bring the Texas Constitution in line with federal law.
Also expands homeowners' rights to allow borrowing against
home equity. Texas is the only state that does not allow
homeowners to use home equity as collateral.
Would remove the protections from a forced sale of a homestead
and could result in people losing homes against their will.
5
Authorizes the Texas Land Board to issue an additional $500
million in general obligation bonds to finance low-interest home
loans for qualified Texas veterans. ■-
Could help those who have served their country and state in the
armed forces to secure a loan for a house. Voters already have
approved $1.5 billion in bonding authority for this program.
Provides tax relief from ad valorem taxes for the spouse of an
elderly citizen.
Only benefits one segment of the population at the expense of all
taxpayers. If participants in the program default on their loans,
the state is ultimately responsible for the debt.
Only benefits one segment of the population at the expense of all
other citizens who will have to compensate for lost tax revenue.
6
Exempts the surviving spouse of a senior citizen (if the surviving
spouse is at least 55 years old) from property tax on a residence
homestead
7
Reduces the total bonding authority already granted for expenses
related to the construction of the Superconducting Super Collider
from $500 million to $250 million.
Could help reduce the state debt, and therefore, enable the state to
achieve a higher bond rating. The United State Congress has
eliminated funding for the Super Collider, so there is not need for
further financing from the state.
Could prevent bonds from being issued to promote physics
research at universities and other laboratories. The money was
allocated for scientific research and since the federal government
stopped the program, not the state, the money remains available.
8
Establishes provisions within the Texas Constitution to abolish
the office of constable in three counties: Mills, Reagan and
Roberts Coimty. The amendment also would transfer the duties
of the constable in these three counties to the county sheriff.
Could help these small counties streamline their governments and
increase savings.
Would remove authority from voters to elect county officials.
9
Removes sanctions which prohibit the investment of money from
the Texas Growth Fund in businesses with ties to South Africa.
Would remove sanctions, implemented in 1987, no longer
necessary to protest South African apartheid government, which
is now democratic.
Since the South African government is still volatile, money
invested there would be at risk.
10
Abolishes the state treasurer's office, effective Sept. 1, 1996.
Will downsize government by preventing the duplication of many
functions performed by both the Treasurer and the Comptroller's
offices.
Would give management control over state revenues to one office
and eliminate the checks and balances system. Mergers among
state agencies have not always resulted in the desired financial
savings. They can result in larger, less responsive bureaucracies.
11
Authorizes a landowner whose property was receiving an agricul-
tural valuation to retain that valuation if the use of the land is
changed from agriculture to active wildlife management.
Would protect the rights of property owners and would help
preserve wildlife and endangered species by providing economi-
cally feasible ways to restore and protect natural habitats.
This amendment could give landowners unfair tax breaks. It
eliminates the use of previously productive land.
12
Authorizes the Texas Legislature, by general law, to exempt
income-producing personal property and mineral interests from
property taxes, if the property has a value insufficient to recover
the administrative costs incurred in collecting taxes.
Would create a more efficient tax-collection policy.
Could provide a tax loophole for some personal property.
13
Authorizes local governments, at their discretion, to exempt
commercial shrimp and fishing boats from property taxes.
Will assist communities dependent on the fishing industry to
promote the local economy.
Would assist a special interest group by reducing tax revenue at
the expense of the entire population.
14
Would raise the constitutionally designated property-tax exemp-
tions for disabled veterans and their spouses and children.
Would bring tax relief to those who have served this country in
the armed forces and their families.
Would assist a special interest group by reducing tax revenues at
the expese of the entire population.
i
lite Free Market Foundation provides this voter's guide in an attempt to help citizens cast a more informed vote. It is not an attempt to pass or defeat any of the proposed amendments.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The J-TAC (Stephenville, Tex.), Vol. 150, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 19, 1995, newspaper, October 19, 1995; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth141860/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarleton State University.