On November 7, Texans statewide will vote on 14 proposed constitutional amendments. Such amendments usually pass, often because their ballot wording makes voters think there are no local effects.
However, the amendment’s stated purpose, drafted by the same legislators who put it on the ballot, may have far-reaching impacts. That is the case with Proposition 12, which would abolish the county treasurer’s office in Galveston County.
Why should voters in any other county care what happens in Galveston? Because if they succeed in getting rid of the county treasurer in Galveston, they may try to do it in your county. It has already worked in nine Texas counties.
The county treasurer gives the People a voice in how county funds are spent. Shutting down the office means eliminating transparency, accountability and the separation of powers provided for in the Texas Constitution. It squashes the people’s voice.
Passage of Proposition 12 could have a chilling effect on the People’s voice in your county someday soon. They deserve to know the whole truth about how dangerous it is before going to the polls.
Terri Williams Polk County Treasurer