Let's look at Proposition 11 - Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the authority of the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.
Overview This proposition would amend the Texas Constitution to authorize the state legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds to fund parks and recreational facilities and levy property taxes to repay the bonds.
El Paso County should be included on the list of Texas counties that allow their conservation and reclamation districts to issue bonds to develop recreational facilities. Allowing bonds to be issued for recreational purposes will benefit the health and wellness of El Paso County residents and encourage further economic development and growth for the region. Vote YES on this amendment!
What’s in the Amendment? In 2003, the Texas Constitution was amended, giving conservation and reclamation districts in certain counties across the state (including Bexar, Harris, and Travis) the ability to issue bonds to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities. El Paso County was not part of this original constitutional amendment and currently does not have this authority, resulting in an underfunded parks system across the county.
Why is this important? It is imperative that large counties develop and maintain parks and recreational facilities that are needed to attract top employees for growing businesses. These are infrastructure items that require bond funding, but this authority is dictated by the Texas Constitution. El Paso is in the position where their ability to competitively grow is ham-strung by the inability to issue bonds that will support that regional growth. West Texas is an area that is under-developed, and supporting this development will provide an anchor for growth in this region. Summary It is important to support economic growth in West Texas, and this amendment allows El Paso County to issue bonds required for the development and maintenance of recreational facilities that will spur that economic growth. Vote YES to support parks and recreation in El Paso!
This amendment was sponsored by Democrats and had the full support of the Democratic caucus.
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