What's your opinion on prop 8?

[efhmc]

I am always suspicious of anything sponsored by a Texas repuke.

[They_Live]

1. I am uncertain about all

the props on the ballot. Props 1,2 & 8 seem like well intentioned ideas, but I was wondering if any one had more info on what they really mean (the entire ballot). Anyone have a good analysis?

[kjackson227]

3. I agree...

that some sound good, but I can never tell what's hidden in the fine print of these things.

[sonias]

2. Texas environmental groups are supporting 8

See this prior DU thread:

Proposition 8 - Water Stewardship Amendment - Vote YES

[efhmc]

4. As a large property owner, I am incline to want this law.

As a liberal Dem., I am suspicious.

[Dover]

5. I have similar questions. My take on it is that it's an incentive

similar to the "wildlife management" program to reward water conservation measures. It apparently helps land owners who are/were forced out of their previous ag activities due to drought, to maintain their ag status by participating in water conservation measures. When cattlemen wanted out of their cattle businesses often
due to its declining value, they didn't know how to use their large parcels of land or keep their ag status. So wildlife management allowed many to change over to deer
management/hunting and other things under the wildlife management program. So the way I see it is that on the one hand it's a law to benefit large land owners,
but the new programs are environmentally friendly (cattle, for instance, were hard on the environment) so the environmentalists get behind it too...supposedly a win/win. The only complaints of that wildlife management program that I'm aware of was from the counties who were angry about lost tax revenues from potential development and conversion of ag land into residential and commercial status.


Here are a couple of links that might be helpful:

http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Texas_Water-Stewardship_Tax_Amendment,_Proposition_8_(2011)

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20111009-editorial-proposition-8-would-help-texas-conserve-water.ece


Here is what opponents are saying:

Opponents of the bill say the proposed changes are redundant because they duplicate already available tax incentives for erosion control and habitat stewardship.<1>
We Texans, a limited-government and economic freedom advocacy organization, opposes Proposition 8. In an October 19, 2011 post they explained their reasoning: "The proposal would ultimately require the Parks and Wildlife Department to set standards for determining whether land qualified for appraisal based on water stewardship. This amendment only serves to further complicate the property appraisal and exemptions process currently in place in Texas. The proposal thwarts justice and shifts the burden of the cost of local government to the shoulders of others in the community."<10>
Texas Eagle Forum, a conservative and pro-family advocacy organization, opposes Proposition 8. In an October 7th, 2011 post they explained their reasoning: "This amendment was promoted by the radical environmental group Nature Conservancy. These environmentalists want to take away water rights from private property owners. Any landowner willing to take this new exemption will soon have the state dictating how their water is managed."<11>

[white cloud]

6. Maybe this will help

I have not read it yet, and don't know which way to go.

http://www.hillcountryalliance.org/HCA/Home

[Dover]

7. What's your question or concern about prop 8? ..n/t

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TEXASYANKEE]

12. Radical group - Nature Conservancy??

OMG, now I really have heard everything from these rightwing nutjobs. That anyone could paint the Nature Conservancy as a radical group boggles the mind.

[They_Live]

9. Some more info here

from the League Of Women Voters (Travis County version of ballot).

http://lwvaustin.org/votersguide/2011CAVGEnglish.pdf

[kentauros]

10. Prop-8 failed.

You know, you'd think that with the major drought and wildfires we just went through (and can still go through again) that people would wake up about stuff like this. But no, conservatives scream "OMG! It'll cost money to do this? Then forget it!" Fine. Your house will burn down and you'll be left scratching your head as to what went wrong. I'll be there to hold up a mirror.

[sonias]

11. Don't tax me - tax the man behind the tree

Conservatives want socialized risks but privatized profits. You know they will rail against the federal government or the state or whichever enemy is convenient when its their homes that are all burning.

:shrug:

There is no more "public good". Public good has become synonymous with welfare state in their puny, selfish, little minds.

Anyway on a related note of framing, I just finished reading a new article in The Texas Observer on granddaddy Koch, called Empire Building. Good basis of "marketing the conservative meme".

Empire Building - The Koch brothers have bankrolled a broad attack on progressive government programs. Their grandfather’s history in Texas helps explain why.

And it's still working on the people a hundred years later! :mad: