Proposition 9 passes

November 6, 2:00 PMHouston Surfing ExaminerJulie Leiendecker

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c/o www.votefortexasbeaches.org

Proposition 9 (or the House Joint Resolution 102) has passed!

In summary, Proposition 9 is: “the constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico."

On November 3, 2009, with a 76.94% majority, Texans voted to keep our beaches open to the public. Texas already possessed some of the best coastal access laws in the country, guaranteeing beach access for the state’s residents. While the Texas Open Beaches Act has been a statute for over 50 years, amending the Texas Constitution ensures that it would not be as easily overturned in years to come.

This amendment impacts surfers in a major way. Additionally, Proposition 9 has the power to set precedent for other states. According to the Surfrider Foundation’s website, “This matters to fishermen, birders, swimmers, families, shell collectors and even the odd treasure hunter, but it goes beyond that. The passage of Proposition 9 has the potential to set a precedent for the protection of public beach access and that every coastal state in the United States can strive to draft and implement.”

The passing of Proposition 9 is a victory which ensures the basic, fundamental right of beach access for surfers and other members of the public.

Care to comment: In your opinion, is this amendment to the constitution good or bad? Do you think the Texas Open Beaches Act was sufficient standing on its own?