By Sam Baker
Dallas, TX –
Statewide Propositions:
Texas voters passed all 16-constitutional amendments on yesterday's ballot, including a plan to put more money into cancer research and prevention. Another amendment will require state lawmakers to vote on record for final passage of bills.
Dallas Trinity Vote:
Dallas voters opted by a vote of 53 percent to 47 percent to continue with plans for a toll road inside the Trinity River levees. Still, Dallas state lawmaker Terri Hodge considered the debate a fight worth having. The mayor and toll road supporters will hold a press conference this morning on what comes next.
Ft. Worth City Council Election:
In Fort Worth, city zoning commissioner Joel Burns and school board member Juan Rangel face a runoff to fill Wendy Davis's term in city council District-9. Burns said his record of public service is a strength he'll bring to the race to succeed Wendy Davis. But school board member and marketing consultant Juan Rangel touted his experience working on the gang problem.
Legislative Election:
Democrat Dan Barrett and Republican Mark Shelton will vie in a runoff to succeed retiring Fort Worth state lawmaker Anna Mowery. Shelton topped 5-other Republicans, but still trailed Barrett in overall voting.
Alocohol Elections:
The Collin County town of Anna will be dry again. Voters repealed sales of alcohol for off-premise use, but voters in Midlothian, Fate, Royse City, and Rockwall said yes to alcohol sales.
Other North Texas Elections:
In Collin County, Mike Daniel will fill an unexpired term on the Murphy city council and Princeton adopted its first home rule charter.
Arlington voters said no to higher taxes for a crime control and prevention district.
School bond packages passed in Fort Worth, Irving, Prosper, Lovejoy, Midlothian, and Crandall. A school tax issue failed in Royse City.
Voters in Keller agreed to redistribute tax money, with more for street maintenance and less for the crime district.
Charter amendments passed in Richardson, but failed in Trophy Club.
Voters in Watauga and Southlake passed some amendments, but not others.
Collin County, Highland Village, Lancaster, Carrollton, Westlake, Melissa and Flower Mound said yes to bonds for public improvements.
Irving, Coppell and Flower Mound raised taxes for the same purpose. And Roanoke voters agreed to annex the trailer park town of Marshall Creek.
Meanwhile, the Tarrant County D-A continues to investigate bogus fliers distributed in mostly Hispanic neighborhoods in District-9, urging voters to cast ballots Saturday rather than yesterday.