2023 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions

CLICK HERE to view the full text of all 14 propositions.

Proposition 1

The right to farm

Position: Support

“The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”

Rationale: This would protect farmers from having to adhere to new laws as city boundaries expand to include their property.

Proposition 2

Authorizing counties to offer a tax exemption on properties used to operate a child-care facility

Position: Support

“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.”

Rationale: Helps lower childcare costs for working families by providing a tax break to daycare centers.

Proposition 3

Prohibiting an individual wealth or net worth tax

Position: Oppose

“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.”

Rationale: The super wealthy are known to abuse loopholes to avoid paying taxes, and banning a wealth tax prevents them from paying their fair share.

Proposition 4

Property tax relief

Position: Support

“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.”

Rationale: This would put money from our budget surplus back into the hands of the majority of taxpayers.

Proposition 5

Establishing the Texas University Fund

Position: Support

“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.”

Rationale: This would help to raise the quality of college education throughout the state.

Proposition 6

Establishing the Texas water fund

Position: Support

“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”

Rationale: As Texas grows, we need to adequately provide clean water for communities and farms.

Proposition 7

Establishing the Texas energy fund

Position: Oppose

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”

Rationale: This proposal lacks accountability to entities that have already received extra funding and does not address renewable energy.

Proposition 8

Establishing the broadband infrastructure fund

Position: Support

“The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

Rationale: This would help bring high speed internet to communities that need it.

Proposition 9

Authorizing the legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to Teacher Retirement System annuitants

Position: Support

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”

Rationale: Teacher pensions have not been adjusted for many years. We value education and want to draw talent for teaching in Texas.

Proposition 10

Tax exemptions for certain medical and biomedical manufacturers

Position: Support

“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.”

Rationale: In order to help attract manufacturers into Texas, tax breaks on their equipment and inventory will help with our economy and help lower healthcare costs.

Proposition 11

Funding parks and recreational facilities in El Paso County with bonds and taxes

Position: No Position

“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.”

Rationale: This proposition appears to be good for the people of El Paso, but that is not my territory.

Proposition 12

Abolishing the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County

Position: Oppose

“The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”

Rationale: This would remove accountability on the local level of a community that works closely with Harris County.

Proposition 13

Increases the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges

Position: Oppose

“The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”

Rationale: We appreciate judges’ knowledge and tenure, but also when they serve as guest judges. People are guaranteed a fair and speedy trial, and we need these dockets to be cleared quickly. We need to make way for younger judges who may be more in tune to a rapidly changing political and socioeconomic landscape.

Proposition 14

Establishing the centennial parks conservation fund

Position: Support

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”

Rationale: Maintaining our state parks preserves the natural beauty of Texas for future generations to enjoy.