Texas Voters to Decide on 2 ‘Pandemic-Era’ Amendments to Constitution – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Texans will go to the polls next week to vote on eight proposals, two of which appear to be from last year.

“Most of them feel like pandemic-era proposals, some of them don’t. There’s always some randomness, ”said University of Texas Government Professor Zach Elkins.

The first proposed change to respond to the pandemic is Proposal 6. It affects nursing homes and skilled residential facilities and appears on the ballot as the following statement.

Suggestion 6: “The constitutional amendment, which gives the residents of certain facilities the right to designate an important reference person for a personal visit.”

During the pandemic, some families were left without their loved ones for months.

In the event of a farewell, each family would be able to name a reference person who can be there in person. Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Texas Health Care Association, said he was confident it would pass.

“The biggest problem, and meaning of it, in my opinion, is that it recognizes the importance of personal visit, which was important in looking back at 2020, and the impact that this lack of that connection with families has with the Family had residents, ”he said.

The second suggestion that emerges from COVID-19 is Suggestion 3, which impacts religious services and enables them to keep going – even during a pandemic.

Suggestion 3: “The constitutional amendment that forbids this state or a political sub-unit of that state from prohibiting or restricting the religious services of religious organizations.”

Pat Svacina, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Fort Worth, said in a statement: “

The Diocese of Fort Worth, under the direction of Bishop Michael Olson, was one of the first Catholic dioceses in Texas to urge state and local governments to recognize the separation of religion and government and to exempt religious organizations from congregation restrictions. The diocese continues to support this position. “

Voters also vote on six other amendments, which are listed below. The early voting runs until Friday and election day is November 2nd.

Proposal 1: “The constitutional amendment empowers the charitable foundations of the professional sports teams of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charitable raffles at rodeo events.”

Suggestion 2: “The constitutional amendment that authorizes a county to finance the development or rehabilitation of means of transport or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped or deserted areas of the county.”

Suggestion 4: “The constitutional amendment changes the eligibility requirements for a Supreme Court judge, an appeals court judge, an appeals court judge, and a district judge.”

The admission requirements of the change would add, among other things, that a person is licensed to practice in Texas and resides in Texas at the time of election. The change would also change the requirements for appointment to a post.

Suggestion 5: “The constitutional amendment that gives the State Commission on Judicial Conduct additional powers over candidates for judicial office.”

Suggestion 7: “The constitutional amendment that allows the surviving spouse of a disabled person to receive a school district sales tax restriction on the spouse’s place of residence if the spouse is 55 or older at the time of the person’s death.”

Suggestion 8: “The constitutional amendment authorizing lawmakers to provide an exemption from value taxation of all or part of the market value of the home of the surviving spouse of a United States Forces member who was killed or fatally injured in the roster.”