November 7th Constitutional Amendment & Joint Elections
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, Texas voters will decide on whether to approve fourteen proposed constitutional amendments.
Following is the wording of the proposed amendments as they will appear on the ballot and my position for each amendment. Regardless of your views on the issues, I encourage you to participate in the process and exercise your right and vote.
Remember, only with your participation can our great democracy work!
Proposition 1
“The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”
Support – Passage of the amendment would protect property owners’ rights to engage in acceptable farm, ranch, timber production or wildlife management practices on real property they own or lease.
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.”
Support – Passage of the amendment would permit local childcare providers additional resources that could be used to provide and maintain quality childcare within their communities.
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.”
Oppose – The proposed constitutional amendment is not needed. The issue of wealth tax has not been considered in Texas.
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 tax 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 taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases 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.”
Support – Passage of the proposed constitutional amendment would ratify the passage of the proposed $18 billion property tax relief package passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and provide some relief to many Texans faced with rapidly increasing property tax burdens. The passage of the amendment would permit homestead exemption on their school property tax to increase from $40,000 to $100,000; and would reduce the maximum compressed tax rate (MCR) for each school district by 10.7 cents during the 2023-24 school year.
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.”
Support – The proposed amendment would provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding to the Texas University Fund to be used for high-quality research at universities in Texas. The funds would be available to universities that do not have access to the Permanent University Fund. The increased investment in our universities for cutting edge research will allow Texas to remain competitive with other states making similar investments and would help attract federal and private research funding.
Proposition 6
“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”
Support – The proposed amendment would create a special water fund to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board to assist in financing water projects focusing on addressing outdated water infrastructures and investing in new water supply buildouts.
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.”
Oppose – The passage of the amendment would allow for the creation of the Texas energy fund to be administered by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to provide loans and grants to support the construction, maintenance, moderation, and operation of electric generating facilities. However, providing additional state subsidies to address the reliability of the Texas grid would be more appropriate through the rate payer system. Exiting utilities companies should focus less on profit and more on funding the modernization of their current electric generating facilities.
Proposition 8
“The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”
Support – Passage of the amendment would allow for the allocation of $1.5 billion to a special fund to support enhancing broadband expansion and infrastructure investment in Texas. The investment of state dollars will also allow Texas to draw down matching funds from the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Development Program for broadband expansion projects.
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.”
Support – Passage of this amendment will provide active teachers with a one-time cost-of-living adjustment ranging from 2% – 6% depending on the date of their retirement.
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.”
Support – Passage of the amendment would exempt from property tax the tangible personal property held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products. The exemption would encourage investment in medical or biomedical manufacturing in Texas.
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.”
Support – The proposed amendment would allow the conservation and reclamation district in El Paso County to issue bonds to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities in El Paso County.
Proposition 12
“The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
Oppose – Eliminating the office of county treasurer in Galveston County would drastically reduce the check and balances in the operation of county government. Eliminating the office would not provide the claimed cost savings as the duties performed by the office of county treasurer would require other counties offices to hire additional staff to carry out those duties.
Proposition 13
“The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”
Support – Passage of this amendment would increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges to 79 from 75 years of age. Increasing the mandatory age of retirement for judges and justices will permit experienced and competent judges who are willing to continue to serve.
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.”
Support – Passage of this amendment would establish a special fund called the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to be used to purchase land to develop new state parks and the improvement of existing state parks.
November 7th Constitutional Amendment & Joint Elections
Early Voting Schedule
Monday, October 23rd – Friday, October 27th
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday, October 28th
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, October 29th
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Monday, October 30th – Friday, November 3rd
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
