CAPITOL DIGEST
Lawmaker decries e-mail claims on ballot proposals; Texas Lottery to start selling veterans scratch-off tickets
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Lawmaker decries ballot claims
State Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton , is fighting back against a claim that two proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on the Nov. 3 ballot create a state property tax.
The source of the claim seems to be an e-mail circulating in various parts of the state, particularly in Houston and Dallas. It warns that Propositions 2 and 3 would allow the state "to start taxing residential homeowners. So if you own a home, and these laws are passed, you will be taxed by the state."
Not even close, says Otto, who carried the legislation that put the propositions on the ballot. "This claim is patently false," Otto wrote in a letter to House colleagues last week.
Proposition 2 would require appraisers to appraise a residence as a home, rather than looking at its maximum value as a commercial property. Proposition 3 would require universal appraisal methods and standards around the state. The enabling legislation for the propositions did not draw a dissenting vote in either chamber.
New $2 tickets will aid veterans
Two days before Veterans Day, the Texas Lottery will start selling $2 scratch-off tickets for veterans.
The state on Nov. 9 will roll out Veterans Cash scratch-offs, which will be the first ticket dedicated to a cause other than public education.
Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio , and Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, said the dedicated ticket was created under a new state law and was a tough sell.
Veterans groups plan to let their members know about the new game.
More than 8.1 million tickets have been printed, comparable to other $2 games.
The top cash award is $20,000, and the new game is expected to bring in $9 million annually for veterans.
