The upcoming Texas ballot includes 17 propositions covering education, taxes, judicial oversight, water infrastructure, research, voting, and parental rights. Here’s a neutral breakdown of each to help you make an informed choice.
📘 Proposition 1: Technical College Infrastructure Fund (SJR 59)
What it does: Creates two permanent funds for Texas State Technical College and workforce education, starting with $850 million. Funds would be constitutional and outside the annual budget process.
Supporters say:
Strengthens workforce training and modernizes facilities.
Provides stable, long-term investment in Texas’ economy.
Opponents say:
Reduces oversight and flexibility, locking funds in permanently.
May not guarantee equal funding across campuses.
Bottom line: Permanent, protected funding for technical colleges vs. less flexibility for lawmakers.
📘 Proposition 2: Capital Gains Tax Ban (SJR 18)
What it does: Permanently bans any state tax on capital gains (profits from investments). Texas doesn’t currently have this tax.
Supporters say:
Protects Texans from future tax increases.
Encourages investment and economic growth.
Opponents say:
Benefits wealthier individuals more than average families.
Reduces future revenue flexibility for lawmakers.
Bottom line: Locks in low taxes vs. limits future budget options.
📘 Proposition 3: Bail Denial Authority (SJR 5)
What it does: Requires or allows judges to deny bail for certain felony suspects if they pose a flight risk or danger.
Supporters say:
Increases public safety and prevents crimes by high-risk defendants.
Strengthens judicial accountability.
Opponents say:
More people may be jailed before trial, increasing costs.
Could disproportionately affect poor or minority defendants.
Bottom line: Public safety vs. due process and fairness concerns.
📘 Proposition 4: Revenue for Water Fund (HJR 7)
What it does: Directs part of sales and use tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund for infrastructure and rural access.
Supporters say:
Ensures long-term water security and infrastructure improvements.
Helps rural areas and supports economic growth.
Opponents say:
Earmarks money, reducing budget flexibility.
Oversight and distribution could be a concern.
Bottom line: Secured water funding vs. reduced legislative flexibility.
📘 Propositions 5–11: Property & Tax Exemptions Package
What they do: Reduce or prevent taxes for ranchers, businesses, veterans, homeowners, and seniors.
Prop 5: Exempts animal feed for sale from property tax.
Prop 6: Blocks occupation tax on securities transactions.
Prop 7: Lets surviving spouses of certain veterans keep homestead exemptions.
Prop 8: Bans state estate, inheritance, and gift taxes.
Prop 9: Exempts income-producing property/equipment from ad valorem taxes.
Prop 10: Temporary exemption for rebuilt value of homes destroyed by fire.
Prop 11: Expands homestead exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners.
Bottom line: Targeted tax relief vs. potential reduced revenue for public services.
📘 Proposition 12: Judicial Conduct Reforms (SJR 27)
What it does: Revises the structure and authority of bodies that investigate and discipline judges.
Supporters say:
Improves accountability and consistency in discipline.
Strengthens public trust in the judiciary.
Opponents say:
Could centralize power and reduce judicial independence.
Administrative costs may increase.
Bottom line: Stronger oversight vs. concerns about independence and cost.
📘 Proposition 13: Homestead Exemption Increase (SJR 2)
What it does: Raises school-district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000.
Supporters say:
Lowers property taxes, especially for middle-class homeowners.
Encourages homeownership and protects long-term residents.
Opponents say:
Reduces revenue for schools.
May shift tax burden to others.
Bottom line: Tax relief for homeowners vs. potential school funding impact.
📘 Proposition 14: Dementia Prevention & Research Institute (SJR 3)
What it does: Creates a state-funded brain research institute with a $3 billion fund near Midland for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related research.
Supporters say:
Advances research, treatment, and cures.
Creates jobs and positions Texas as a leader in medical research.
Opponents say:
Large upfront cost from general revenue.
Uncertainty about research outcomes and sustainability.
Bottom line: Investing in research vs. committing billions of taxpayer dollars.
📘 Propositions 15–17: Voting, Parental Rights & Border Tax Exemption
What they do:
Prop 15: Affirms parents as primary decision-makers for their children.
Prop 16: Codifies in the Constitution that only U.S. citizens may vote.
Prop 17: Allows property in border counties to get a tax exemption for value added by border security infrastructure.
Bottom line: Strengthens parental authority, clarifies voter eligibility, and provides targeted tax relief — balanced against concerns about limits on government guidance, unnecessary codification, or narrow tax benefits.
✅ How to Use This Guide
When voting, consider:
Stability vs. flexibility (Propositions 1, 2, 4)
Public safety vs. fairness (Prop 3)
Tax relief vs. revenue for services (Props 5–11, 13, 17)
Oversight vs. independence (Prop 12)
Investment in research vs. budget trade-offs (Prop 14)
Family authority and voting rules vs. policy limits (Props 15–16)
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