Measures on Nov. 6 ballot could affect Rice

Measures on Nov. 6 ballot could affect Rice
…………………………………………………………………

Nov. 6 is Election Day — an opportunity for citizens to choose their local government and affect public policy for years to come.

In Texas, voting is going on now through Nov. 2, either in person or absentee by mail. Voting early in person is basically the same as voting on Election Day.

This year, Houstonians will elect a mayor, city council, city controller and trustees for the boards of the Houston Independent School District and Houston Community College System.

They also will vote on a variety of issues. Ballot measures receiving the most attention in the news media are three proposed amendments to the city charter: Proposition 1, requiring voter approval of future METRO rail projects; Proposition 2, denying health and other employment benefits to same-sex domestic partners of city employees and addressing other matters of city employment and contracting practices based on sexual orientation; and Proposition 3, requiring an additional special election to approve or disapprove the current Main Street light-rail line previously approved by the city council and now under construction, with lawsuit provisions that may result in the project being removed from the streets.

One ballot measure with possible effects on areas near the Rice campus is Proposition A, which provides for the issuance of $474 million in street and drainage improvements and the levying of taxes to pay for them.

Information on early voting, polling locations and a sample ballot are available at <www.co.harris.tx.us/cclerk/elect.htm>.