This Week in Texas: November 6, 2013

Posted November 6, 2013 in The Mignon Memo

The results of the November 5th general election are in.  Texans approved all nine constitutional amendments on the ballot including the high profile Proposition 6 which authorizes the movement of $2 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund into a revolving account to provide public entities with low-cost loans for water supply and conservation projects.  Houston voters re-elected Mayor Annise Parker to a third and final term as mayor.  Voters in Houston also voted down a referendum to authorize $217 million in bonds to turn the Astrodome stadium into a giant convention center and exhibition space.  Harris County commissioners are predicting they will vote to tear down the historic stadium. Propositions permitting liquor stores to open in Arlington and Lewisville passed easily.

In the special election to fill the currentterm in House District 50 seat left vacant by former Rep. Mark Strama’s retirement, there will be a runoff election between Democrat Celia Israel and Republican Mike VanDeWalle.   Expect a repeat of this race in the March primary since the winner of the runoff only holds the seat until January, 2015.

Filing begins this Saturday, November 9th, for a spot on the March 4th primary ballot.  Candidates may continue to file until the December 9th deadline.