Election Day November 7th

There are 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot and Election Day is November 7th. Below is a synopsis of each proposition and how it will be presented on the ballot.

Proposition 1: The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.

Essentially this amendment would add farming and ranching practices to the Texas Bill of Rights. The proposed amendment would maintain the Legislature’s authority to enact laws authorizing state or local authorities to regulate generally accepted agricultural practices under three circumstances: to prevent imminent danger from becoming an actual harm to public health, to protect animal health and crop production, and to preserve the natural resources of the state.

Proposition 2: The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.

This amendment will permit cities and counties to offer an additional property tax exemption for childcare facilities so long as the value of the exemption is not less than 50% of the property’s appraised value.

Proposition 3: The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.

This amendment will prohibit the imposition of a tax based on the wealth or net worth of an individual or family. Enshrining a ban on a wealth tax in the Texas Constitution now will ensure that a future legislature cannot impose such a tax without the consent of voters.

Proposition 4: The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increase in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.

This is the historic property tax relief package that we’ve have been discussing over the last few months. Homeowners will see an increase in their homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 while providing certain elderly and disabled homeowners an additional $15,000 exemption. This amendment will deliver the largest property tax cut in Texas history.

Proposition 5: The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

This amendment will create a fund limited to $100 million to provide funding for eligible institutions of higher learning. Providing a predictable and sustainable source of funding for high-quality research at universities in Texas that do not have access to the Permanent University Fund will help ensure that the future workforce needs of the state are met and that the state’s economy continues to grow.

Proposition 6: The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.

This amendment will establish in the Texas Constitution the Texas Water Fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board. Investing both in our current water infrastructure as well as future needs, will help ensure water resources are available for all Texans.

Proposition 7: The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas Energy Fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.

The Texas Energy Fund would be administered by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas, which would be authorized to provide loans and grants to advance the purposes of the fund. The amendment requires that the PUC allocate money to eligible projects in each region of Texas that contains an electric power grid in proportion to that region’s load share.

Proposition 8: The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.

This amendment will help close the digital divide by expanding broadband infrastructure across the state and in turn could lead to a better quality of life and increased economic growth.

Proposition 9: The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

This amendment will simply provide a much needed cost-of-living adjustment for our retired teachers.

Proposition 10: The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.

This amendment will exempt equipment used in the manufacturing of medical or biomedical products or the products themselves from ad valorem taxation. The proposed tax exemption would encourage investment in medical and biomedical manufacturing in Texas, which in turn would promote innovation and advancement in medical technologies, strengthen Texas’ medical supply chain, and create jobs.

Proposition 11: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.

In 2003, the Texas Constitution was amended to allow conservation and reclamation districts in certain counties to issue bonds supported by property taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities if approved by district voters, but El Paso County was not among the counties included at that time. The proposed amendment would extend this authority to conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County.

Proposition 12: The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.

This amendment will eliminate the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County so long as the amendment is ratified by a majority of voters. It would also authorize the Commissioners Court to hire or designate a qualified person to carry out the functions performed by the County treasurer.

Proposition 13: The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.

This amendment will increase the mandatory retirement age for state justices and judges from 75 to 79 and also increase the minimum age to retire from 70 to 75.

Proposition 14: The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.

This amendment will create a fund limited to acquiring property to create and improve state parks. The proposition would prohibit funds requested to be used for costs associated with the administration of the department or the maintenance and operation of state parks.