EDITORIAL: Here are our recommendations for issues in city, state elections

Space is limited and there are a lot of issues up for consideration in the city bond election and the state constitutional amendment election on Nov. 3. Early voting begins Monday.

City bond election

Yes on Proposition 1: Street improvements. Everyone will benefit from upgraded traffic signals and roadways.

Yes on Proposition 2: Firefighting facilities and equipment. Response times will be improved in new neighborhoods and insurance premiums in those areas could be reduced.

Yes on Proposition 3: Water recreation facilities. This is more of a quality of life issue than a bare-bones necessity, but splash pads would enhance children's water play at four city parks.

Yes on Proposition 4: Soccer facilities. Investment in youth sports facilities will promote tourism and bring in additional revenue for local businesses and increase the amount of sales tax dollars that are returned to the city from the state to help balance the city's budget.

Texas Constitutional Amendments

Yes on Proposition 1: Buffer zones around military installations. This isn't an issue for Lubbock, but it will allow communities to prevent any nearby commercial encroachment that might impair the base's mission.

Yes on Proposition 2: Homestead valuation. Resembles protection from highest and best use appraisals for agricultural land. Adds residence homesteads. Particularly helpful for homeowners whose neighborhoods are in transition from residential uses to commercial development.

No on Proposition 3: Uniform ad valorem tax appraisal. It's true property tax appraisal practices vary widely across the state and a property located in one county is sometimes appraised differently than a similar property located elsewhere. But passing this amendment would allow direct state enforcement authority and oversight over local appraisals. It would result in giving up local control to the state, which might not understand local conditions.

Yes on Proposition 4: National Research University Fund. Passage of Proposition 4 is vital to Tech's prospects for becoming a tier one university. It helps level the financial playing field with UT and Texas A&M without hurting either. In fact, Chancellor Kent Hance says the UT and A&M leadership are helping campaign for it. No new taxes will be required. The money already has been set aside. Every $10 billion in research creates 300 or more jobs.

Yes on Proposition 5: Consolidating appraisal districts. This would allow two or more adjoining appraisal districts, if they elect to do so, to consolidate appraisal review board functions.

Yes on Proposition 6: Veterans' Land Program. The amendment would provide bonding authority needed by the Veterans' Land Board to continue the Veterans' Housing Assistance Program and Veterans' Land Program.

Yes on Proposition 7: Texas State Guard. This is needed to allow a civil official to become active in the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force and to allow state military personnel to hold another civil office, such as justice of the peace.

Yes on Proposition 8: Veterans hospitals. The amendment would encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with the state and with local communities to establish additional facilities. With 1.7 million veterans living in the state, Texas ranks third in the nation in the number of veterans among its residents.

Yes on Proposition 9: Protect access to beaches. In recent years, hurricanes and their associated storm surges have dramatically altered the tidal and vegetation lines on many Texas Gulf Coast properties, leaving some houses and other structures standing on land that, although privately owned, is considered public beach under the open beaches act.

Yes on Proposition 10: Term limits for emergency services district board members. The Texas Constitution limits the term for all state offices to two years unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Yes on Proposition 11: Limiting the power of eminent domain. The proposed amendment would enhance property protections established statutorily in 2005. As of Jan. 1, 2010, the power of eminent domain could be granted only by a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.

Editorials represent the opinion of The Avalanche-Journal Editorial Board, which consists of Publisher Stephen A. Beasley, Editor Terry Greenberg, Editorial Page Editor Joe Hughes, editorial writer Joe Gulick, in addition to input provided by community advisory board members Adrienne Cozart, Juan Munoz and Dee Jay Wilde.

At-a-glance

--Our position: We offer our choices in the city and state elections for your consideration. Use our recommendations as one resource as part of your independent research.

--Background: Early voting begins Monday and continues through Sept. 30 on a Lubbock city bond election and a state constitutional amendment election.

--What Does This Mean To You: Issues presented in city and state bond elections potentially affect your pocketbook and your quality of life.

--What You Can Do: Do your homework on the city bond issues and the proposed amendments relying on sources you trust and then cast your ballot.

--On the Internet: For more information, visit the Web site of Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade. The address is: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/