All 17 Texas Constitution Amendments Pass – What It Means

By Ayden Runnels and Carla Astudillo, The Texas Tribune

Voters in Texas approved a series of tax exemptions and bans as well as new investments in state infrastructure and research, as all 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot passed. Most propositions restrict the creation of certain taxes or allow for new tax exemptions. Other amendments will create state investments in water infrastructure, dementia research and technical college funds. Proposition 10 received the largest share of voter support Tuesday night. The amendment would temporarily lower homeowners’ property taxes if their homes are destroyed by fires.

 After all unofficial results were posted, the closest race was for Proposition 6, which would ban the creation of new taxes on securities transactions, like stock trading. The next closest was Proposition 17, which would allow the state government to prevent market values of properties in border counties from increasing due to border security infrastructure.

Proposition 17

Allowing the state to prevent property values near the border from increasing due to border security infrastructure and related improvements.

Proposition 5

Extending tax exemptions on animal feed when it’s held as inventory to be sold.

Proposition 6

Prohibiting the state from creating new taxes on securities transactions, such as stock trading, and from taxing those who operate or work in the securities market, including financial institutions, brokers and dealers.

Proposition 7

Providing property tax breaks on homes of spouses of U.S. veterans who died in connection to their service. This applies if they have not remarried.

Proposition 8

Prohibiting the state from imposing inheritance taxes, which are taxes on an estate, and from taxing an estate or inheritances when they are transferred.

Proposition 9

Providing exemptions of up to $125,000 on businesses’ inventory or equipment from being taxed by school districts, cities, counties or any other taxing entity.

Proposition 10

Creating a process that would temporarily lower property taxes on homes destroyed by fire.

Proposition 11

Allowing the state to raise the homestead exemption, which is the amount of a home’s value that cannot be taxed to pay for public schools, for elderly or disabled Texans.

Proposition 12

Changing the make-up and review process for the Texas’ State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Proposition 13

Increasing the homestead exemption, which is the amount of a home’s value that cannot be taxed to pay for public schools, for all homeowners.

Proposition 14

Providing $3 billion to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to study dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and other brain related conditions.

Proposition 15

Adding language on parental rights, as currently outlined in federal case law, to the Texas Constitution.

Proposition 16

Adding language to the Texas Constitution clarifying that a person who is not a U.S. citizen cannot vote in the state.

Proposition 17

Allowing the state to prevent property values near the border from increasing due to border security infrastructure and related improvements.