Not sexy, but useful, I hope . . .

It's shameful confession time: On election day, I customarily find myself surprised by proposed amendments to the Virginia Constitution. There they are on the ballot, and here I am completely unprepared to vote yea or nay.

The language of these amendments frequently doesn't help. Hmmmm, I say to myself. What does that mean, I wonder?  Who wrote this mess? Why are there so many negatives? My daughter, who lives in Colorado, says her state addressed the issue of confusing negatives by passing a referendum stating that voting "yes" for an amendment means you're for it; voting "no" means you're against it. So all you have to do is grasp the principle embedded in all those words, and you're home free.

But I digress with talk of Colorado. Back here in Virginia, Article XII of our Constitution lays out the process by which it can be amended. Wikipedia simplifies the language this way:

Any amendment to the Constitution must first be passed by a majority in each of the two legislative houses. The proposed amendment must then be held over for consideration by the succeeding elected legislature, where it must again be passed by a majority in each house. The amendment then goes on the general ballot and becomes enacted into the Constitution if approved by a majority of the voters.

Alternately, a two-thirds majority of both Virginia houses may call for the creation of a constitutional convention. Any revisions or amendments proposed by the constitutional convention are presented to the citizens of Virginia and become law upon approval by a majority of voters.

There are three amendments on this year's ballot. It's hard to beat the League of Women Voters' explanation of what's proposed and what it might mean to the citizens of the Commonwealth. So, in the interest of furthering informed citizenship (and with a grizzled blogger's knowledge that most readers don't click through to linked pages), I'm cutting and pasting the League's "fair and balanced" assessment of what's at stake below.

Article X, Taxation and Finance. Section 6, Exempt Property

BALLOT QUESTION 1: Shall Section 6 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to authorize legislation that will permit localities to establish their own income or financial worth limitations for purposes of granting property tax relief for homeowners not less than 65 years of age or permanently and totally disabled?

EXPLANATION: The proposed amendment (i) removes the requirement that tax exemptions are available only to such persons who bear “an extraordinary tax burden,” and (ii) gives the General Assembly authority to permit localities to determine their own income or financial worth limitations for tax exemptions for persons 65 years of age or older or for persons permanently and totally disabled.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia suggests the following points to consider:

Supporters Say:

• It will eliminate the need for the General Assembly to rule on a case-by-case basis.

• It applies a more rational standard for localities to make their tax exemption laws.

Opponents Say:

• Disparities in eligibilities among localities may affect fairness across the state.

• Localities could reduce taxes for older citizens and thereby lessen available money for local services such as schools.

Article X, Taxation and Finance. Section 6-A, Property tax exemption for certain veterans

BALLOT QUESTION 2: Shall the Constitution be amended to require the General Assembly to provide a real property tax exemption for the principal residence of a veteran, or his or her surviving spouse, if the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability?

EXPLANATION: The proposed amendment would require the General Assembly to pass a law exempting from local taxation the principal residence owned and occupied by any veteran with a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability. The veteran’s surviving spouse could continue to claim the exemption so long as he or she does not remarry and continues to occupy the home as his or her principal residence.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia suggests the following points to consider:

Supporters Say:

• It improves the financial situation of 100% disabled veterans in the Commonwealth.

• It makes it easier for 100% disabled veterans to qualify for tax relief.

• It will eliminate the need for the General Assembly to rule on a case-by-case basis.

Opponents Say:

• It adds a new permanent category for a tax exemption.

• Localities’ tax revenues are reduced without compensating reimbursement from the Commonwealth.

• It extends duration of exemptions to surviving spouses, regardless of their financial circumstances.

        Article X, Taxation and Finance. Sec.8, Limit of tax or revenue; Revenue Stabilization Fund

BALLOT QUESTION 3: Shall Section 8 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to increase the permissible size of the Revenue Stabilization Fund (also known as the “rainy day fund”) from 10 percent to 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s average annual tax revenues derived from income and retail sales taxes for the preceding three fiscal years?

EXPLANATION: The proposed constitutional amendment increases the maximum size of the Fund from 10 percent to 15 percent of the Commonwealth’s average annual tax revenues from income and sales taxes for the preceding three fiscal years.

The League of Women Voters of Virginia suggests the following points to consider:

Supporters Say:

• It’s sound financial planning.

• It assures that more state funding is available in lean years.

Opponents Say:

• It could decrease available revenue for current state services.

• Additional management fees could provide windfalls for financial institutions in the state.

There! Now all that's left is deciding and voting. See you at the polls tomorrow!