Elect Yantis Green

Archive for October, 2009

 

Our elected representatives in Austin completed their 140 day – biennial task in June resulting in 11 questions before Texas voters.  You and I will choose  November third which of the proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution become law.  I commend San Angelo Representative Drew Darby and Senator Robert Duncan on their hard work during the session and the pivotal rolls they played in these proposals. 

Here’s how I will vote on the proposed amendments: 

No. 1:  Allows cities and counties to use tax dollars to protect & promote the mission of military installations. 

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment because it is good for Tom Green County, San Angelo, and the US military.

No. 2:  Protects the value a residential homestead instead of allowing your home to be appraised on the “highest and best use.”  This is a private property protection.

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment because it is good for home owners, agriculture, and Tom Green County.

No. 3:  Provides for uniform standards and procedures for appraising property for tax purposes. 

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment because it evens the playing field from West Texas to the I35 Corridor to East Texas.  This measure should provide for equal treatment for all properties in Texas.

No. 4:  Establishes the framework for a national research university fund that promotes the expansion of the number of State funded research universities in Texas to compete nationally and globally. 

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment because it allows Texas Tech and Angelo State University to expand educational and research opportunities, attract great students, and compete nationally at a higher level.

No. 5:  Allows adjoining property tax appraisal districts to consolidate appraisal and review services. 

I will vote to APPROVE this measure because it could save taxpayer dollars and provide better service for rural Texas.

No. 6:  Allows the Veteran’s Land Board to maximize funding for mortgages to Texas veterans. 

I will vote APPROVE this amendment.

No. 7:  Allows Texans serving in the military or the State Guard to serve in a civil office.

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment.

No. 8:  Authorizes state funding for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in Texas.

VOTE YES

No. 9:  Protects public access to Texas beaches but puts and unfair burden on landowners whose homes are now located on those beaches.  We can do better. 

I will  vote AGAINST this amendment.

No. 10:  Allows for emergency services districts board members to serve four year terms.  This is a major confirmation of local control in Texas.

I will vote to APPROVE this amendment.

No. 11:  Restricts the legislature’s ability to grant the powers of eminent domain by cities, counties, and other political subdivisions.  

I will vote to APPROVE this proposal.

Like most Americans who have health insurance, I’m very happy with the coverage  my family & I have and I really like the doctors, nurses and staff I deal with, but I’m frustrated at  the overall cost, the bureaucracy and the extensive measures taken to avoid lawsuits.  And I know that those of us who do pay for health insurance pay for the health care of those who don’t, and glady so.

The last thing the healthcare industry needs is an injection of federal oversight.  The solutions include tort reform, private competition, eliminating pre-existing condition restrictions, interstate competition, preventative medicine, personal responsibility and keeping the government as far away from health care as possible.

It sickens me to tune into cable TV and see never-ending ads from ambulance chasing lawyers and law firms eager to sue entities and companies over everything from second hand smoke to asbestos manufacturers to medical device companies, etc.

Like most issues, the leadership in Washington, D.C. has this wrong, but there are a number of private options that work for the uninsured, now.  No American who needs treatment of any kind will be turned away at the emergency room.

This country doesn’t need to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to take over the health insurance industry.  Instead, the federal government should get out of our pocketbooks, off our backs, find a way to reign in bogus threats from questionable law firms and reduce the threat of malpractice lawsuits against doctors and let the private sector do what it has always done; make the country better by focusing on what individuals need and want by doing what is right.