SPI Insights

Texans passed nine out of 10 constitutional amendments on November 5 with several propositions that support funding for disaster recovery and mitigation.

Proposition 1, which would have permitted elected judges to hold more than one office as a municipal judge, failed by a 30 percent margin. Appointed judges are allowed to hold more than one judgeship.

Sixty-five percent of voters supported Proposition 2 that enables the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to issue up to $200 million in additional general obligation bonds to provide financial assistance for the development of water and wastewater projects in economically distressed areas.

Tax exemptions for disaster areas earned 85 percent of the vote for Proposition 3. The new law allows the state to exempt a portion of the appraised value of properties damaged by disasters from property taxes.

The prohibition of a state income tax was reinforced by 76 percent of voters. Proposition 4’s passage now requires a two-thirds vote of the Texas House and Senate instead of a simple majority before the measure could go to voters.

Proposition 5 passed with 88 percent of the vote to dedicate sales tax revenues on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to acquire, manage, and improve state and local parks and historic sites.

Cancer prevention and research funding drew 64 percent of the vote on Proposition 6, which allows the Legislature to increase the maximum bond amount allowed for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute by $3 billion. The available school fund will be eligible to receive $300 million more up to $600 million a year after 74 percent of voters approved Proposition 7.

Passage of Proposition 8 by 78 percent of voters automatically moved $793 million from the state’s rainy day fund to a new Flood Infrastructure Fund. The state-run bank account will be used to award grants or issue low-cost loans to local governments for drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control projects.

Proposition 9, which passed with 52 percent of the vote, authorizes the Legislature to exempt depository-held precious metals from ad valorem taxes.

Handlers or caretakers of law enforcement animals that are retiring will now be able to take ownership of them after 94 percent of voters approved Proposition 10. Prior to the amendment’s passage, state law required these animals to be auctioned off as state property.