This year’s Constitutional Amendment Election includes 14 propositions concerning a variety of issues, including: Local Control of Farms, Child Care Center Tax Exemption, Property Taxes, University Research Grants, Water & Energy Funds, Internet Access, Teacher Pensions, and more.
The current version of the Texas Constitution was written in 1876 and has been amended over 500 times.
Why so many amendments?
Our Constitution limits the types of changes state lawmakers can make to laws.
In order to change the Texas Constitution, the proposed amendments must pass both house of the Legislature by a two-thirds majority, and then be approved by a majority of Texas voters.
Unlike many other states, the Texas Constitution cannot be amended by citizen-led ballot initiatives, referendums, or petitions. Voting on amendments gives you a direct voice in our state government.
On the ballot this year includes the following propositions:
–Prop. No. 1 – Protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.
PROS: With rising population and increased demand for food, it is important to prevent cities from overregulating agricultural production.
CONS: Allows farms, including large, industrial farms, to operate with less accountability to the local community.
–Prop. No. 2 – Authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.
PROS: Lower property taxes would reduce costs for child care centers, so more can remain open and more can be built.
CONS: Benefits of this tax break may not flow to parents and child care workers.
–Prop. No. 3 – 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.
PROS: Texans should not be penalized for creating wealth and starting businesses which help the Texas economy grow.
CONS: This proposed amendment addresses a tax that is not being considered by the state legislature.
–Prop. No. 4 – Authorizing the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes, increase amount of exemption on residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of limitations on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on resident homesteads of the elderly or disabled, to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief, and to authorize the legislature to provide a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.
PROS: These property tax cuts would save Texas homeowners an average of $1,300 per year, with additional cuts for property owners who are seniors and those with disabilities.
CONS: Shifting away from property taxes to fund our public schools could result in higher sales taxes and higher taxes on businesses.
–Prop. No. 5 – Relating to 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.
PROS: Research at Texas public universities helps drive the Texas economy.
CONS: This proposition would provide stable research funding for only four additional public universities (those funded by the Texas University Fund).
–Prop. No. 6 – Creating the Texas Water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.
PROS: There is a great need for projects to replace or repair aging pipes which the state estimates leak billions of gallons of water each year. Also, water and wastewater treatment plants in many communities need upgrades or replacements.
CONS: This proposition would allow funds to be taken from state revenues to fund local water projects.
–Prop. No. 7 – Providing for the creation of the Texas Energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.
PROS: The money loaned or granted to build the electric generating plants are from the state’s budget surplus funds, so electricity customers will not be paying for these plants.
CONS: Solar and wind projects are not eligible for loans or grants from this fund. They currently generate about 39% of Texas electricity and have reduced electricity costs in Texas.
–Prop. No. 8 – Creating the Broadband Infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.
PROS: Improved access to high speed internet would result in better productivity and efficiency in agriculture and energy, two of Texas’ most important industries.
CONS: This proposition does not prioritize lower income communities for high speed internet development.
–Prop. No. 9 – Authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
PROS: Higher payments to retirees would increase their spending, and therefore help local communities across Texas.
CONS: The higher payments to retired teachers do not address the current teacher shortage.
–Prop. No. 10 – Authorizing 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.
PROS: Removing property taxes on biomedical equipment and inventory could strengthen our medical supply chain and protect the Texas healthcare network.
CONS: Reducing property taxes for one industry places more tax burden on other businesses and individuals to support their government and public schools.
–Prop. No. 11 – 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.
PROS: More and improved parks will encourage further economic development and growth for the region.
CONS: Land allocated to parks could be more economically productive if left in private hands.
–Prop. No. 12 – Providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.
PROS: Abolishing the county treasurer’s office would save taxpayers in the county $450,000 annually.
CONS: An elected county treasurer is accountable to voters, and removing the office would impact current checks and balances between elected county commissioners (who control the budget) and the elected county treasurer (who makes financial management decisions.
–Prop. No. 13 – Increasing the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.
PROS: People are living and working longer, and experienced state judges should be allowed to continue to serve, if they are capable and willing.
CONS: Extending the age limit will keep the Texas judiciary from reflecting the demographics of the current Texas population.
–Prop. No. 14 – Providing the creation of the centennial park conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.
PROS: State parks provide an economic boost to the outdoor recreation industry and to the rural communities located nearby.
CONS: Having more public lands could impose restrictions on private development and limit agricultural and mineral rights.
(Source: League of Women Voters® of Texas Voters Guide – lwvtexas.org)
