November 7th Texas Constitutional Amendment Election
If you’re new to Texas, you may not realize we have a dynamic state constitution where amendments are made every two years following a legislative session. Amendments to the constitution are important because they are far more difficult to change than a law.
Constitutional amendments require a 2/3s vote of approval in each legislative body and then they are sent directly to the voters for ratification. State laws require just a simple majority vote by each legislative body and then the Governor can sign them into law or veto them.
This November, you will have the opportunity to ratify 14 amendments. From dedicated funds for important infrastructure projects related to water, electricity generation, and broadband access to an ongoing Cost of Living Adjustment for our retired teachers (who haven’t had one in decades) the amendments represent broad bipartisan support to address key issues facing Texans.
Of particular note, I want to call your attention to Proposition 4. After the 2021 legislative session, Texans approved a constitutional amendment increasing the Homestead Exemption on school property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000. Now, we are seeking Prop 4 to increase the Homestead Exemption once again, to $100,000 ($110,000 for senior citizens and disabled Texans). If passed, you would not pay school property taxes on the first $100,000 of your home’s value. The state then fills the funding gap directly related to the decrease in property taxes received by the school district, so our schools are kept whole financially. This proposition is in addition to the other property tax relief measures we passed, including the 10.7 cent reduction in the school district tax rate.
A list of all amendments can be found below:
Proposition 1 – HJR 126 “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”
Proposition 2 – SJR 64 “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.”
Proposition 3 – HJR 132 “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.”
Proposition 4 – HJR 2 from the second special session “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.”
Proposition 5 – HJR 3 “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.”
Proposition 6 – SJR 75 “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”
Proposition 7 – SJR 93 “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”
Proposition 8 – HJR 125 “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”
Proposition 9 – HJR 2, regular session “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”
Proposition 10 – SJR 87 “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.”
Proposition 11 – SJR 32 “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.”
Proposition 12 – HJR 134 “The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
Proposition 13 – HJR 107 “The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”
Proposition 14 – SJR 74 “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”
Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve you in YOUR Texas House! Truly, it’s an honor. If you believe like I do, that conservative policies should be fought for – and won – then please consider contributing to my campaign today. Every, $25, $50 or even $100 helps us fight back against the radical left. Thank you again!