Tyler

The League of Women Voters passed out information and offered an educational forum to the public explaining the Texas constitutional amendments up for vote on Nov. 6, Monday night.

The floor was then opened to representatives from the Citizens for the Right Jail Plan Committee and the Build the Jail Committee to explain their views on the proposed $125 million bond to build a new Smith County jail.

Tyler attorney and former State Representative David Hudson outlined the basic information concerning the 16 proposed amendments and took questions from the audience.

League of Women Voters President Dee Brock said the purpose of the forum was to help voters better understand the issues that are approaching the poles.

“We think it is essential for people to understand these amendment proposals so they do not just pull the lever. These proposals, if passed, will affect your lives,” she said.

Tyler attorney Ken Good made the opening argument for the jail bond proposal, praising the process by which the jail plan was derived.

“Something incredible has happened in Smith County. A group of citizens and experts put together this plan over 16 months,” he said.

Former County Commissioner David Stein made the argument against the jail bond proposal, saying he felt it would be better to ask for a smaller bond to build the facility in increments.

“Building all these things now – is not a phased plan. It’s a bad deal and the wrong decision. We do not need to spend this amount of money to solve this problem,” he said.

Information on the Nov. 16 amendments will be supplied by the League of Women Voters at public libraries throughout Smith County through Nov. 6, or by contacting the organization at 903-597-9111.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and works to increase understanding of major public policy issues.