Texas voters okay funding for state cancer institute
By LAURA CHILDRESS

Texas voters approved all 16 proposed Constitutional amendments Tuesday, including the funding of a new state cancer research center and road and park improvements.

Residents in Denton ISD also approved the largest bond package in district history.

Among the propositions approved was the funding of up to $3 billion in bonds for the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, $5 billion in bond funds for state highway improvements, $1 billion in bond funds for state parks and possibly new prisons and $500 million in bonds for student loans to state colleges and universities.

Texas voters also approved propositions setting a 10-percent maximum annual increase in residential homestead appraisal values, regardless of when the last appraisal was made; allowing the government to sell property acquired through eminent domain procedures back to its previous owners for the original purchase price;  authorizing a full ad valorem tax exemption on homesteads owned by totally disabled veterans; and requiring the Texas legislature to record every vote not strictly ceremonial and provide public access on the Internet to these votes.

In Denton ISD, voters approved a $282 million bond package with 59.2 percent of voters casting their ballots in favor of the proposition.

The bond package includes $122.7 million for renovating, updating and adding to existing schools; $84.8 million for two new elementary schools and one new middle school, $3.5 million for project designs and plans for a new high school; and funds for land acquisitions and a child care program.