Early voting starts Monday – TxDot Grand Parkway widening meeting Tuesday

Early voting starts Monday for school bonds/constitutional amendments

We all remember to vote in presidential elections (and hopefully, elections when our state representative is on the ballot), but many of us ignore the opportunity to vote in elections that are much closer to home and have a much more immediate impact on our community and on our tax bill  — school bond elections. Even fewer of us take the time to participate in one of the greatest privileges of living in Texas — the right to vote on amendments to our constitution. You have a direct say in what rights and obligations your state constitution contains.

Early voting for both of these elections begins THIS Monday, October 23 and continues until Friday November 3. For those who choose not to vote early, Election Day is Tuesday, November 7.

There are seven amendments to the Texas Constitution being offered for approval by the voters, including Proposition 4, which I sponsored in the House, and which would prevent laws which are passed by your elected representatives from being thrown out in court in lawsuits between private parties unless the attorney general has the opportunity to defend the law on behalf of the state. Your right to elect your representatives to pass laws on your behalf isn’t worth much if some private litigant hundreds of miles from here can have a court throw them out without your elected representatives even knowing about it. I urge you to vote YES on Proposition 4.

One of the shorter explanations of the seven proposed amendments appeared in the Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/06/hey-texplainer-what-constitutional-amendments-will-be-november-ballot/

If you live in Katy ISD, you are being asked to vote on a  $609,204,553 bond issue to build six new schools, perform a $21 million renovation of Fielder Elementary, make renovations to Katy High School and Raines High School, make safety and security improvements, make $31.7 million worth of technological improvements, undertake $52 million of “component replacements” (which includes kitchen renovations, Career & Technical Education (CTE) support space, foundation repairs, chillers, HVAC controls, roof replacements, flooring replacements, lighting retrofits, athletic surface replacements, competition gym components, natatorium components for 61 campuses & facilities)  and $24 million of “other” (which includes Buses, portables, fuel storage tank replacements). It’s your school district and its your money (not to mention your children – or at least your neighbors’), so don’t forget to exercise your right to vote.

Early voting information (including your sample ballot) can be found here, courtesy of the Katy Times: https://www.katymagazineonline.com/single-post/2017/10/22/Early-Voting-for-Katy-ISD-Bond-Starts-Monday

If you live in CyFair ISD, you do not have a bond election on the ballot, but I encourage you to get out and vote on the constitutional amendments.

Cinco Ranch High School on Tuesday, Oct 24, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m

You may have noticed that the Grand Parkway (aka Texas 99) clogs up at key times (and even some not-so key times) during the day. As a result, TxDot is actively looking into widening the road from four lanes (two in each direction) to a six-lane divided highway from the Westpark Tollway to I-10. They are also considering several ramp modifications to improve the flow of traffic. TxDot has drafted plans for the project and is ready to present them to the public for your comments.

In order to make sure that you have a chance to learn about the proposed changes, and to make your voice heard, TxDot will hold a public meeting at Cinco Ranch High School on Tuesday, October 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be an “open house,” meaning that there will be no formal presentation. Instead, TxDot will have maps of the proposed project and several TxDot employees available to explain what is planned and seek your input, as well as the input of local public officials. You can come and go at any time during the meeting.

If you wish to make formal written comments (in favor, opposed, or just wishing to make a comment), you can submit them at the meeting or send them later. To be considered, they must be postmarked or submitted electronically by November 8, 2017. You can mail them to:

TxDot District Office

Director of Project Development

P.O. Box 1386

Houston, Texas 77251

You can submit comments electronically to:

HOU-PIOWebMail@txdot.gov

Or at the project website: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings.html

The meeting will be held at:

Cinco Ranch High School

23440 Cinco Ranch Boulevard

Katy, Texas 77494

Hours: 5:30 – 7:30 (come and go)

I plan to attend the meeting and I hope you will, too.

If you can’t make the meeting, the maps and other information will be available by appointment at TxDot’s Houston District Office at 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston Texas 77007  and TxDot’s Rosenberg office at 4235 SH 36, Rosenberg, Texas 77471 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you don’t need any questions answered and just want to view the plans, they will be on TxDot’s website at: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/houston/102417.html