As I usually do, I'm starting a thread about the upcoming state election and maybe I'll get 3 replies. For me, there are 2 local races, but there's all the Texas Constitution propositions. So, here I am thinking aloud about how I might vote on them. A lot of these have to do with local taxes, and the sum of all of them will significantly decrease the real estate tax revenues for school districts. Texas would replace that money from the General Fund. They want to assure us that our schools will be fine. The effect, however, is that the funding shifts from local to state, giving the state government more control over how our school districts operate. I suspect much of these tax initiatives are actually aimed ultimately at restructuring education. And I am FOR restructuring our educational system -- I just don't trust that Texas Republicans will do it right. Prop 1 on Endowment for Technical College: Against. Normally, I would be for, but given the way the federal and state governments have been trying to leverage state schools to silence dissent, I'm not inclined to help fund them. Prop 2 on Capital Gains Tax Ban: Against. I'd like to see more of the tax burden put on capital. And I certainly wouldn't take all the tax tools out of our own toolbox even if I didn't expect to use them. Prop 3 Bail Reform: Against. They want to presume that those arrested (but only the ones arrested for street crime, not white collar crime) are guilty. We already have a system to evaluate if a defendant is a risk to the public. A blanket denial of bail based on an unproven charge by a prosecutor is a denial of our Constitutional right to reasonable bail. Prop 4 Water Infrastructure: For. It probably isn't even enough money, but it's a start. Prop 5 Animal Feed Tax Exemption: Uncertain, but probably For. From what I read, the legislature is unable to exempt animal feed inventory from property tax without an amendment. And our Legislature should probably have the flexibility to set tax law. Prop 6 Securities Tax Ban: Against. For one, the ballot language is completely impenetrable, and whenever they propose an amendment a voter can't understand, I'll vote against it. For two, I don't believe in taking tools out of the tax toolbox. For three, again they are trying to protect Capital from taxation and shifting the tax burden to Labor, and I think it should go the other way. Prop 7 Tax Exempt Veterans' Spouses: For. On the one hand, I opposed giving property tax breaks to veterans who were disabled by their military service. I have nothing but compassion for them, but their local property tax has got nothing to do with their federal service. Let the feds do right by them. But since it does exist for veterans and their surviving spouses, this prop just covers a small inconsistency about qualifying for the benefit. Prop 8 Inheritance Tax Ban: Against. For all the reasons enumerated already about other tax bans. Prop 9 Inventory & Equipment Tax Exemption: For. As before, I agree with giving the Legislature more flexibility in setting tax policy. And, like the homestead exemption, I like the structure of this exempting only the first $125k. It is most helpful to small businesses who don't have big balance sheets while maintaining revenues from the big companies. I am a little concerned it can create an opportunity to game the tax system by splitting assets among many legal entities. Prop 10 Tax Exemption for Homes Destroyed by Fire: For. Seriously? We've been taxing people for homes that burned down? Prop 11 School Tax Exemption for Elderly: For. Its a population that needs financial support, so I'm inclined. And I like the progressive nature of this kind of homestead exemption -- very meaningful for modestly-priced homes, but still exposes very expensive homes to taxation. Prop 12 State Judicial Conduct Commission: Probably Against. Frankly, I don't trust their motivations for making a change to the process. Prop 13 Homestead Exemption: For. I like the progressive nature of this kind of homestead exemption -- very meaningful for modestly-priced homes, but still exposes very expensive homes to taxation. It might make sustaining this wealth tax in Texas (of all places) easier politically -- even though I know they ultimately want to kill it. Prop 14 Dementia Research: Maybe For. Probably has the effect of enriching Houston and Dallas around their medical centers at the expense of taxpayers in the rest of the state. Which ain't too cool even if I indirectly benefit. But, preventing dementia is something I am very interested in. Prop 15 Parents Rights: Against. Just culture war bullshit. Prop 16 Citizenship for Voting: Against. I don't see why we need to tell municipalities how to run their local elections. If a local body wants representation from non-citizen residents to decide boring crap like how trash gets picked up, why not let them. Prop 17 Tax Exemption for Border Security Infrastructure: Against. I think they want to hold harmless those private property owners who agree to have border wall put on their property by making sure they don't pay extra for cooperating. That makes a lot of sense. But, I don't want my state wasting money building stupid border walls, so I'm not inclined to make it easier for them. Here is the ballot language of all the props: Ballot Language for the November 4, 2025 Constitutional Amendment Election
Thanks for the Run Down. I don't immediately see any disagreement but will probably have to read through again Rocket River
They're always in the worst possible voting year when turnout is typically low. I thought a couple might not make it through but was dead wrong. My vote mostly went the same way as the OP except for Prop 1 and 16.
I was curious as to why Texas have many constitution amendments for what seems like should be under the purview of the state legislature. Here's a good article on the reason: https://www.texastribune.org/2011/08/25/texplainer-why-texas-constitution-so-long/ TLDR: The US Constitution has a 'Necessary and Proper Clause' that allows the government to make new laws to carry out its duties even if it's not specifically enumerated in the constitution. The Texas Constitution does not have a the 'Necessary and Proper Clause', so the state government only has power granted to it directly by the constitution. So that's why every little thing is spelled out and written as a constitutional amendment. I can see the reasoning behind both ways of thinking. Though it still seems unproductive to have a constitution that has nearly 550 amendments. I wonder what the silliest or anachronistic amendment is. Fun Fact: Alabama has the longest state constitution at 370k words, more than 4 times the Texas Constitution, and more than 80 times longer than US Constitution.
Really local. CFISD. Trio of candidates break conservative majority on Cy-Fair ISD board – Houston Public Media The victories Tuesday by Kendra Camarena, Lesley Guilmart and Cleveland Lane Jr. mean conservative board members, who gained a 6-1 majority in 2023, will now be outnumbered 4-3 in the Houston-area district.
