Amendments create benefits for beaches, veteran care

Nov 2 2009 - 11:52pm | Luis Baez

The State of Texas has seen plenty of change in recent years. According to an article in the Oct. 16 issue of The Austin American Statesman, the number of veterans who apply for specialized care has increased.

Hurricanes on the coast have blurred lines between private and public beach property. Governor Perry’s plans for the Trans Texas Corridor were canceled in the name of private property.

These three issues have taken the form of Texas Constitutional Amendments, and Texans have one more day to make sure the “yes” votes are cast.

Prop 8 calls for Texas’ ability to contribute to federal veterans’ hospitals, and possibly build better facilities. Prop 9 ensures all Texans have access to beaches. Prop. 11 restricts the use of eminent domain claims by the government.

Prop 8 is important for the current veterans living in Texas and those the state will need to provide health care for in the immediate future.
State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. (Brownsville), wrote in an Oct. 13 article for the Statesman that “in South Texas alone, we have roughly 100,000 veterans, many needing the specialized care only a facility such as the Audie Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio can offer.”

The amount of travel veterans have to go for the proper care only exacerbates their condition. They may not have the resources to make those trips. The Obama administration is questioning troop increases in Afghanistan. Texas needs to create the proper facilities to care for its future veterans.

The language of Prop 11 does not rule out eminent domain entirely, but it clearly defines the term and circumstances of how it can be used.
This will make it more difficult to claim.

The text reads, “taking private property for economic development or to enhance tax revenues would be prohibited by the Texas Constitution, not simply by Texas law.”

The government is required to keep seized property and not sell it to an entity that would pay higher taxes.

Current law also means eminent domain can claim entire neighborhoods, but Prop 11 forces claims to be fought on an individual basis.

Prop 9 would ensure “the public’s unrestricted right to access public beaches (is) a permanent easement.”

Gulf of Mexico beaches stretch for hundreds of miles, and the amendment would prevent them from falling into private ownership. If hurricanes cause beach lines to retreat, Prop 8 would still require them to be public property.

The issue speaks to something more important though. Most of Texas land is “owned” somehow, excluding public parks. Beaches are the only land individuals should not have the right to own, regardless of the circumstances. Not everything belongs to everyone, but beaches should be an exception.

Amending the Texas Constitution would mean the state has to change. Propositions 8, 9 and 11 would only be beneficial.

—Luis Baez is a political science junior

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