NOV. 3 ELECTION

From college cash to beach access, 11 amendments pass

Voters approve giving millions to 7 aspiring research universities.

Texas voters took a modest but significant step Tuesday toward lifting more of the state's public universities into the ranks of major national research institutions by approving a constitutional amendment freeing up about $500 million from a dormant higher education account.

Voters also approved 10 other proposed constitutional amendments, including propositions guaranteeing public access to beaches and banning governmental taking of private property for economic development or increased tax revenue.

Proposition 4, which faced little organized opposition, creates an endowment called the National Research University Fund. Five percent of the money, or about $25 million, will be spun off each year for faculty salaries, graduate student stipends and other uses intended to help seven emerging research universities strive for a position on the national stage.

"It's interesting timing," said state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, chairman of the House Higher Education Committee. "With other states pulling back (in higher education spending), passage of Proposition 4 sends a strong signal that Texas is really serious about becoming a research powerhouse."

The amendment, which does not authorize any new taxes, is part of a broader effort to boost the number of tier-one institutions in Texas. State lawmakers earlier this year added $50 million to the state's two-year budget for the emerging research universities on top of their usual appropriations. The money will be parceled out based on how well the schools have done in raising private donations.

The state currently has three tier-one schools: the University of Texas, Texas A&M University and Rice University, which is private. Such schools, with stout research grants and intellectual heft, are powerful engines of economic and civic advancement.

The schools aspiring to join the big leagues are UT-Dallas, UT-Arlington, UT-El Paso, UT-San Antonio, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston and the University of North Texas.

Under companion legislation approved by the Legislature this year, those schools will have to meet certain benchmarks to be eligible for distributions from the National Research University Fund. None currently meets the criteria, which include research expenditures of at least $45 million a year and compliance with four of six other standards, such as awarding at least 200 doctoral degrees annually and amassing an endowment of at least $400 million.

Fueling a successful rise of just one campus to the top tier could require a $100 million annual injection of state money and private donations for many years, according to higher education leaders. Still, they said the constitutional amendment and the other spending are important steps in charting a pathway.

"This is the beginning of a long journey to ensure the state's economic competitiveness," said James Huffines, chairman of the UT System Board of Regents and co-chairman, with former Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, of Texans for Tier One, a political action committee that campaigned for passage of Proposition 4.

The dormant account from which the roughly $500 million will be drawn, known as the Higher Education Fund, was set up to receive regular legislative appropriations until it reached $2 billion, after which distributions could begin. Lawmakers have not allocated money to it since 2003, leaving the balance stranded until now.

Proposition 11 limits eminent domain powers and will specify in the constitution that governments in Texas are prevented from seizing private property and giving it to a private developer to boost the tax base.

Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who are running for the Republican nomination for governor in March, both issued statements praising the outcome.

Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke said passage of the amendment was important but said Texas laws still favor the condemner of property.

One group opposed to Proposition 11 was the private property and anti-toll road organization Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, which said the proposed amendment leaves open loopholes and doesn't address issues like diminished access to remaining land after an eminent domain seizure.

Proposition 9 cements in the Texas Constitution the state's open beaches law. Backers said it will protect public beach access from lawsuits or legislative interference, while opponents said it could erode private property rights.

rhaurwitz@statesman.com; 445-3604

Additional material from The Associated Press.

Proposition 1

Passed: Authorizes financing methods for municipalities and counties to acquire buffer zones or open spaces next to military bases. The proposal could prevent encroachment next to the base and allow construction of roads, utilities and other infrastructure to promote the mission of a military base.

Proposition 2

Passed:Allows the Legislature to provide for ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence, not at the potentially higher commercial use value.

Proposition 3

Passed:Provides for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for taxation. Texas lacks uniform standards, and proponents say this amendment will ensure that property in diverse parts of the state is valued using the same generally accepted practices.

Proposition 4

Passed:Establishes a national research university fund to help emerging research universities achieve national prominence as major research universities. Those pushing the proposal say it will provide funding similar to what elevated Texas A&M University and the University of Texas to first-tier status, providing jobs and stature for the state. Others questioned whether now is the time to spend such money.

Proposition 5

Passed:Permits the Texas Legislature to allow a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities. That means area appraisal boards can be consolidated if they choose.

Proposition 6

Passed:Authorizes the Veterans Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized. It will keep the land board from continually having to seek legislative authorization.

Proposition 7

Passed:Allows an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices. This will correct what some say is an oversight in the state constitution.

Proposition 8

Passed:Authorizes the state to contribute money, property and other resources to establish a veterans hospital. It's designed to speed up efforts to open a federal Veterans Affairs hospital in the Rio Grande Valley, whose residents currently must travel to San Antonio to receive some VA hospital services.

Proposition 9

Passed:Protects the right of the public to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico. This will block private developers from restricting beach access to the public. Some say it could infringe on private property rights.

Proposition 10

Passed:Limits elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts to terms no longer than four years. Currently, terms are two years.

Proposition 11

Passed:Prohibits governments from taking private property for private economic development to increase a tax base. It also limits the Legislature's power to grant eminent domain authority to a governmental entity.

- Associated Press