(November 3, 2009)—Voters in Hewitt rejected three proposed bond issues Tuesday, but voters in most other Central Texas cities and school districts supported bond proposals, tax increases and local option proposals.

Statewide and locally, turnout was less than 10 percent.

Statewide, voters gave early and decisive approval to Proposition 11, which limits the government’s power of eminent domain.

It was the last of 11 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, but one of those that got the most attention, as the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau, Gov. Rick Perry and his Republican primary rival, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, all campaigned in favor of it.

A proposition to guarantee public beach access also sailed to victory, as did a proposal to help build more veterans hospitals.

Constitutional amendments involving how homes can be appraised for taxation and providing for statewide appraisal standards also won approval.

Voters also approved amendments keeping the Veterans' Land Board from having to go the Legislature regularly in order to issue general obligation bonds, allowing Texas State Guard members to hold other civil offices and limiting the length of terms of emergency service district board members.

Temple residents voted to allow the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages.

Hewitt voters approved propositions allowing the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption and the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants.

But they rejected an $8.13 million bond issue to pay for a public safety facility for the police and fire departments, a $500,000 bond issue to pay for parks and recreation improvements and a $1.25 million bond issue to acquire land for a municipal complex.

Robinson ISD residents voted in favor of ratifying a tax rate increase above the rollback rate.

Belton ISD voters approved a $29 million bond issue.

They also elected Laura Crawford to fill an unexpired term on the Robinson School Board.

La Vega ISD voters approved a $24.42 million bond issue for a new intermediate school and improvements at the high school.

Groesbeck ISD voters approved an $8 million bond issue to pay for construction, acquisition and new buses.

Moody ISD voters narrowly approved an $11.5 million bond issue for construction.

Bruceville-Eddy voters elected a mayor and for two at-large council members.

Rick Eaton was unopposed in the mayor’s race.

Frank Holt and Lucy Hargrove-Posey won the two council seats.

Lorena ISD voters rejected a tax rate increase above the rollback rate.

Troy voters reauthorized a .25 % sales tax to continue to provide revenue for street repair and maintenance.