An ambitious $3 billion bond plan to beef up cancer research in Texas was passed by voters Tuesday. It comes on the heels of Gov. Rick Perry presenting Scott & White with a $7.5 million grant to aid its cancer research institute.
Proposition 15, backed by cancer-fighting groups and Republican and Democratic politicians, received 61 percent of the vote with 39 percent against, with more than half of all precincts reporting. It had drawn opposition from conservatives who believe borrowing money through bonds was bad economic policy.
“Everyone has a stake in the fight against cancer and Texans have taken matters into their own hands by passing Proposition 15, funding 10 years of cancer research in our state,” Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement. “I believe that we will look back on this day as a turning point in the war against this deadly disease.”
Fiscal conservatives also opposed several other items to fund highways, parks and crime labs on a ballot that contained $9.75 billion in proposed bonds statewide, as well as billions more in local bond ballot measures.
But all 16 state constitutional amendments won voter approval.
For the most part area voters fell in line with state voters on each amendment. Voters in Milam County proved the exception as they voted against propositions 4, 12 and 16.
Republican Perry, Democratic former Comptroller John Sharp and legislators joined champion cyclist Lance Armstrong in campaigning for Prop 15.
Armstrong, a testicular cancer survivor, toured the state in a red, white and blue bus and used his foundation’s Web site to urge support for the proposition. The cyclist made a stop in Temple.
At the Prop 15 election night party, an ’80s rock-and-roll band played and yellow “Live Strong” bracelets decorated tables at a historic Austin hotel.
The constitutional amendment would allow the state to give out $300 million over 10 years in grants and potentially attract world-renowned cancer researchers. A portion of the money would be dedicated to cancer prevention.
Social conservatives aligned with the Texas Eagle Forum opposed the amendment, warning that the money could be used for embryonic stem cell research. Supporters said the bond funds wouldn’t be used for that, but there was no guarantee.
Ballot propositions that passed included an amendment to require that the votes of individual lawmakers be recorded on final passage of bills. That allows Texans to easily see how their representatives voted. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to tell with a voice vote or other non-recorded vote.
Proposition 12 authorizes up to $5 billion in bonds for highway improvement projects.
Proposition 4 authorizes $1 billion in bond money for maintenance and construction for state parks, historic sites and crime labs and sets aside money for possible new prisons.
Statewide voter turnout was expected to be low. In some cities, local bond proposals and elected offices stirred interest.
Houston Mayor Bill White easily won re-election to his final, two-year term as leader of the nation’s fourth-largest city with only minor opposition. Houston-area residents also voted for city council seats and several local bond elections for schools and roads.
Voters in a Fort Worth area legislative district were deciding a replacement for retiring Republican Rep. Anna Mowery. The crowded, expensive race may be a sign of rough election battles coming next year that will determine the makeup of the Texas House and possibly Republican Speaker Tom Craddick’s fate.
Lone Democrat Dan Barrett led a field of seven in early vote totals and appeared headed into a runoff with one of the Republicans.
In the Panhandle, just two people were eligible to vote to confirm the creation of a fresh water supply district in Roberts County that would help billionaire T. Boone Pickens deliver water to growing north Texas communities.
The two voters? Pickens’ ranch manager and his wife.
nThe Associated Press contributed to this story.
