Texans okay rural-related propositions

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

September 25, 2003 -- Although there is still a lot of noise coming out of the Capitol in Austin concerning redistricting, the Sept. 13 vote on 22 constitutional amendments was deemed a success for rural Texas.

While all of the amendments passed ... several by large margins ... seven dealt with concerns in the state's rural areas.

According to published statistics, only 12 percent of Texans eligible to vote turned out, and Proposition 12, capping noneconomic damages in medical and other liability cases, was given the credit for getting that many voters out to the polls.

Other amendments passed dealing with rural Texans included: Proposition 2, which created a new time limit for redeeming interest in mineral rights; Proposition 4, which allows some water districts to build and maintain parks and recreational facilities; and Proposition 10, which allows municipalities to donate extra firefighting equipment to rural volunteer fire departments.

In other voting, Proposition 11 was a big win for grape producers in that it now allows wineries to sell wine consumed on and off their premises ... even in "dry" counties. According to an Associated Press report, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs stated, "It's going to be a huge message, because it's a signal of interest and intent ... that grape growers and wineries are important."

During the 2001 legislative session, lawmakers agreed to allow wineries to sell wine from their tasting rooms, even if they were located in dry counties. This did not set well in some counties, and challenges were made when winery owners went to renew their licenses.

Proposition 11 settles that debate and supports a Texas wine industry that generates $133 million a year, along with 1,800 jobs, according to Combs. She said wineries are one business that can "inject jobs and revenue into a rural area."

According to Combs, there is an average return of about $1,800 per acre on grapes, compared with $230 per acre for cotton and $615 per acre for oranges.

Not only should the individual producer prosper, but the local economy will reap the benefits in excise and sales tax revenues. Texas is the fifth largest wine-producing state in the nation, said Combs, but we can be even better, now that Proposition 11 passed.

Another notable item on the ballot was Proposition 19 which repealed lawmakers' authority to create rural fire prevention districts. The vote on this was fairly close - 58.8 percent for, and 41.2 against.

Finally Proposition 21 allows faculty members of a public college or university to be paid for public service ... another close vote at 52.3 percent for, and 47.7 percent against.