By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-866289.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Early voting began yesterday for the November 3rd elections. In addition to local issues, eleven state constitutional amendments are on the ballot. KERA's BJ Austin says one of them, eminent domain reform, is grabbing a lot of attention.
The Texas Farm Bureau is on the road campaigning FOR Proposition 11. Bureau President, San Angelo farmer Kenneth Dierschke stopped in Dallas for the start of statewide early voting. Dierschke says farmers, and all other property owners, need this protection in the Texas Constitution.
Dierschke: It prohibits the taking of private property to be given to another private entity for the primary purpose of economic development or enhanced tax revenue.
A 2005 Texas law already prohibits using the power of eminent domain to take private land for economic development or to benefit of a private interest. Prop 11 language would require that the eminent domain authority retain ownership of the property and use it for a productive, public purpose. It would also require separate action on each individual property in blighted areas no condemnation of whole neighborhoods. And a two thirds vote of the Legislature would be required to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.
Texans United for Freedom, or TURF's Terri Hall says the language is tricky, and the proposition too watered down to be real reform.
Hall: Ultimately it says in there that they can still take your land for certain economic development and tax revenue purposes. And then it gives a whole litany of loopholes about how they can come and take your land.
Kenneth Diershke says Prop 11 is a good start to protect Texas property owners. Terri Hall says if voters pass "this" reform lawmakers won't be likely to push for additional needed changes in the future.