On Nov. 4, Texas residents will have the final say on 17 proposed amendments in the constitutional amendment elections. Should these amendments receive voter approval, they would enact major changes to taxes and funding for colleges, water infrastructure, research and homeowners.
The House and Senate cleared the 17 proposals earlier this year with a two-thirds vote. A simple majority by Texas voters will pass the measures featured on the ballot, providing the state government with the authority to incorporate them into the Texas Constitution.
While all 17 proposed amendments would be impactful to how Texas operates and is governed should they receive approval, four measures represent major changes to the future of state infrastructure, research and workforce development – Propositions 1, 4, 10 and 14.
Prop 1
Proposition 1 would create an $850 million funding source for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC). The endowment would establish two funds – the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund (Permanent Fund) and the Available Workforce Education Fund (Available Fund) – to support capital projects. These would serve as a dedicated revenue source for critical projects, enabling the college to support new initiatives. Use cases for the money would include:
- Building or equipping buildings or other permanent facilities.
- Performing major repair and rehabilitation on buildings and other permanent facilities.
- Buying land.
- Procuring capital equipment, including instructional equipment, virtual or augmented reality equipment, heavy industrial equipment and/or vehicles.
- Buying library books and materials, including digital or electronic versions.
- Paying the principal and interest due on bonds and notes used for permanent improvements authorized by other laws.
The $850 million would be appropriated from dedicated funds in the previous budget cycle, not new tax dollars. Should the proposition be approved, the comptroller of public accounts would be awarded authority over the management, distribution and investment of the Permanent Fund on an annual basis.
Prop 4
Proposition 4 would supplement the state’s water funding with $20 billion for water projects over the next 20 years. The Legislature would allocate a portion of revenue earned from state sales and use taxes to advance water-centric initiatives. Starting in 2027, the state would deposit $1 billion of sales tax revenue into the Texas Water fund annually.
Texas’ water infrastructure is in critical condition across multiple fronts, facing increasing water demand caused by population growth, old infrastructure leaking millions of gallons of water and climate change exacerbating drought and erratic rainfall patterns. A Texas 2036 report projected that the state would need to spend $154 billion by 2050 to adequately reinforce and expand its water infrastructure.
The proposition would be a step in the right direction, providing the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) with funding for infrastructure improvement projects such as:
- Fixing aging pipes and related infrastructure.
- Developing and increasing water sources.
- Flood mitigation.
- Water conservation.
Prop 10
Proposition 10 would provide relief for homeowners who have lost their home in a fire by providing temporary exemptions from ad valorem taxation. Qualifying homesteads must remain uninhabitable for at least 30 days after the fire.
The amendment would create a process to lower property taxes on homes destroyed by fire, allowing homeowners to have their home value recalculated and receive an adjusted tax bill for their restored home. Owners must submit an application for exemption no later than 180 days after the fire occurred.
Prop 14
Proposition 14 would allocate $3 billion to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Once established, the institution would study and research methods to prevent and treat dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain-related disorders. An approved board would use the funds to approve research proposals. As part of the amendment, the institution would receive $300 million annually to supplement research operations.
Additional information on the remaining ballot measures and propositions can be found on here.
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