AUSTIN, Texas — For the Nov. 7 election, Texas voters had the opportunity to weigh in on 14 state propositions. Each was a proposed amendment to the state constitution, and their topics ranged from agriculture and property taxes to funding for water infrastructure and state parks.
Here's a rundown of which propositions passed and what they will do, as well as which ones failed.
Proposition 1
Voters chose to approve Proposition 1.
On the ballot, Prop 1 read: "The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management."
The approved prop will create a constitutional right for Texans to farm and ranch, using "generally accepted" practices.
Proposition 2
Voters chose to approve Proposition 2.
On the ballot, Prop 2 read: “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.”
The approved prop allows counties and cities to lower property taxes for child care facilities if they participate in the Texas Workforce Commission's "Rising Star Program" and if at least 20% of the children enrolled receive subsidized child care services through the Workforce Commission.
Proposition 3
Voters chose to approve Proposition 3.
On the ballot, Proposition 3 read: “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.”
Texas doesn't have a net worth tax, and lawmakers have not been talking about creating one. However, State Rep. Cole Hefner wanted to ensure Texans won't have a net worth tax by banning them in the state constitution.
What is a net worth tax? Lawmakers in a few other states have proposed taxing people if their net worth, which is their assets, or the things they own – real estate, stocks, pensions, etc. – minus their liabilities, which is money they owe, equals a certain amount.
Proposition 4
Proposition 4 related to the $18 billion property tax plan that was passed by lawmakers earlier this year but still required voter approval.
Prop 4's ballot language was complicated. KVUE Political Director Ashley Goudeau broke it all down:
Voters chose to approve this amendment. Homeowners will begin seeing tax savings in their 2023 tax bill.
Proposition 5
Voters chose to approve Proposition 5.
Essentially, the goal of the prop is to rename the National University Research Fund to the "Texas University Fund" and make sure it has a funding source. The source will be the interest income, dividends and investment earnings from the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund.
With a limit of $100 million per year, the State will also put in a one-time $3.5 billion investment to kickstart the new fund.
It is worth noting that universities in the University of Texas and Texas A&M Systems are not eligible for the fund. The new funding will only available to Texas State University, the University of North Texas, Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, for now.
Proposition 6
Voters chose to approve Proposition 6.
The approved constitutional amendment will create a fund outside of the General Revenue Fund, that will be used for grants and low interest loans for water projects.
Proposition 7
Voters chose to approve Proposition 7.
This proposition was in response to the 2021 winter storm that left more than 240 people dead and millions of Texans without power for days.
Similar to Prop 6, Prop 7 it will create a fund outside of the General Revenue Fund. That money will be used to give out completion bonuses plus zero-interest and low-interest loans for dispatchable energy projects.
The Legislature already set aside $5 billion for the fund in the budget, but voters needed to approve the state spending that money.
Proposition 8
Voters chose to approve Proposition 8.
Prop 8 creates a special fund that lasts until 2035 to build out broadband infrastructure. It is estimated about 7 million Texans don't have access to broadband internet.
The Legislature already set aside $1.5 billion for the fund in the budget, but voters needed to approve the state spending that money.
Proposition 9
Voters chose to approve Proposition 9.
It authorizes a one-time cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) between 2% and 6%, depending on when the teacher retired. Lawmakers also passed a bill to give retired teachers between 70 and 75 years old a one-time supplemental payment.
The money is already set aside for the COLA in the budget, but it still needed voter approval.
Proposition 10
Voters chose to approve Proposition 10.
On the ballot, Prop 10 read: "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."
In Texas, medical and biomedical businesses have to pay property taxes on equipment and inventory, things such as PPE, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Prop 10 essentially allows biomedical companies to be exempt from the business property tax.
Proposition 11
Voters chose to approve Proposition 11.
On the ballot, Prop 11 read: "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."
Back in 2003, Texas voters approved a proposition to allow 11 conservation and reclamation districts (MUDs and WCIDSs) to issue bonds to develop and maintain parks and recreation facilities.
El Paso County was not one of the counties involved, and Prop 11 will add it to the list. The bond will still have to be approved by El Paso County voters.
Proposition 12
As of Wednesday morning, voter approval for Proposition 12 was ahead.
It allows Galveston County to eliminate the county treasurer position.
Proposition 13
Voters chose to reject Proposition 13, which would have increased the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.
The Texas Constitution currently requires justices and judges of appellate, district and criminal courts to retire at the end of their elected terms when they become 75 years old. There's also a provision that requires a judge that turns 75 within the first four years of a six-year term to retire by New Year's Eve of the fourth year.
Proposition 13 would have raised the retirement age of judges from 75 to 79 years old and abolished the Dec. 31 provision.
Proposition 14
Voters chose to approve Proposition 14, which will provide for the creation of the Centennial Parks Conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.
Lawmakers have already sequestered $1 billion from the budget surplus to go into this fund, but it needed voter approval.
For the latest election results, head to KVUE.com/elections.