It might not be sexy, but it IS important; voting on proposed Amendments to the Texas Constitution
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| Source: Murphy Monitor/ murphymonitor.com |
Coming up soon, Texans will be voting on 17 amendments to the state constitution. Voter turnout is expected to be lackluster, but it isn’t hyperbole to say that the results of the votes on these amendments will have long-lasting repercussions. Sadly, turnout is not expected to be large, but I’m hoping that by circulating this that maybe more people will be inspired to take this seriously and vote.
Early voting begins Monday, October 20 and ends October 31. Regular voting day is November 4.
In what follows, I’ve made my own recommendations based on sources listed in the Notes/Further Reading section.
I recommend visiting reviewing the materials and making your own decisions, of course. Also, there’s a spreadsheet below that encapsulates the various sources’ recommendations.
Proposition 1 (SJR 59): Texas State Technical College funding
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
It’s an odd day when I find that Governor Greg Abbott supports something like this. The proposition allows for working-class education, and investing in the infrastructure needed for a skilled professional workforce.
Proposition 2 (SJR 18): Capital gains tax ban
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
Why I’m voting No:
This is the first amendment that seeks to lock in hand-outs for the wealthy and skew legislation in their favor. At present, Texas has no capital gains tax: enshrining it in the constitution, however, would negate "any future attempt to tax profits from rom the sale of or gains on investments, as well as the money made by stock traders, hedge fund managers, and the ultra-rich.” (1)
Proposition 3 (SJR 5): Bail reform
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.”
Why I’m voting No:
In case this hasn’t been stressed enough, but the bail system is designed to impoverish and punish, particularly black and brown people and while this proposition has been framed as reducing the flight risk of dangerous felons, judges already have the ability to do so.
This is a very palpable effort at eroding due process and entrenching in the state constitution a law that would only reinforce the marginalization and punishment of minorities.
Proposition 4 (HJR 7): Water infrastructure funding
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
This is a no-brainer. This proposition allows for directing up to $1 billion to the Texas Water Fund to improve the state’s water system’s infrastructure, which is, frankly, not healthy. This would be an investment in clean, accessible water for communities, especially as we encounter more frequent and intense droughts and corporations continue to drain aquifers.
Proposition 5 (HJR 99): Tax exemption on animal feed
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
Farmers are already facing debilitating economic challenges; animal feed is already tax exempt when harvested or purchased, but this goes further in protecting small agriculture who are dealing with encroachment by corporate agribusiness and rising costs.
Proposition 6 (HJR 4): Securities tax ban
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.”
Why I’m voting No:
Not to put too fine a point on it, but anytime you see “tax ban” as part of a proposition under a Republican led legislation, there’s a good chance it’s not for the working-class. Again, as with the capital gains tax ban, establishing this in the constitution would remove the ability to tax securities trades or impose fees on financial market players. "That means no transaction taxes on billionaires day-trading futures and options, no progressive reforms to rein in speculation.”(2)
"This would only impact the most wealthy Texans, and future reforms and regulations could bring forward budget measures to return revenue to working class Texans, who face the brunt of sales and property tax hikes.”(3)
Proposition 7 (HJR 133): Tax exemption for veterans’ spouses
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
Because it’s humane. It’s really that simple and yes, there would be reduced revenue from property taxes, but according to Texas’ Legislative Budget Board, not significantly so.
Proposition 8 (HJR 2): Inheritance tax ban
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent’s property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”
Why I’m voting No:
Another lock-in for the rich. At present, Texas doesn’t have an inheritance tax, but once again, if this is codified into law, it ensures that the wealthiest pay nothing and the offset would come from regular Texans paying higher property taxes.
Proposition 9 (HJR 1): Inventory and equipment tax exemption
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.”
Why I’m voting Yes, with qualifications:
The proposition allows for tax breaks of up to $125,000 which would benefit small businesses, farmers, and self-employed Texans, all of whom need relief. But I balk at two things. One is the glaring loophole that this could be exploited by big ag and corporations, but the other is the burden it might place on school districts and communities whose revenue would be impacted.
The Texas Tribune’s note is daunting: “The state would help pick up the tab for the amount of property tax revenue school districts would lose. This would cost the state an estimated $193.5 million from general revenue in 2027 and more than $100 million annually from general revenue in subsequent fiscal years, according to a fiscal note from the Legislative Budget Board. Other taxing entities like cities and counties would either have to raise tax rates to make up for the lost revenue, or go without it.”(3)
Proposition 10 (SJR 84): Tax exemption for homes destroyed by fire
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
Another no-brainer. Yes, most homeowners probably already have fire insurance, but for those who don’t this could be a real boon.
Proposition 11 (SJR 85): School tax exemption for the elderly or disabled homeowners
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
This amendment allows for $10,000 - $60,000 in tax exemption for elderly or disabled homeowners. This would provide vital relief for 2 million homeowners, many of whom are on fixed income. To be clear, school districts will have to address the reduction in revenue, but this may turn out to be less impactful than one might think.
Proposition 12 (SJR 27): Changing the State Judicial Conduct Commission
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission’s recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.”
Why I’m voting No:
This would set up a situation where the governor could handpick appointees and further politicize/weaponize the TSC; while it is worded to assume greater accountability, this would be rendered moot by a judicial system of loyalists.
Proposition 13 (SJR 2): Increased school tax exemption for homeowners
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000.”
Why I’m voting (with another qualified) Yes:
This is great for homeowners and I support that. But I’m waffling on yet another school tax exemption and that there are no similar proposals for renters.
Proposition 14 (SJR 3): Funding for dementia research and prevention
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.”
Why I’m voting Yes:
At a time when this research is so urgently needed, this is precisely what should be established. Incidentally, this would push Texas up to a vanguard position in dementia research and associated studies.
Proposition 15 (SJR 34): Codifying parental rights
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children.”
Why I’m voting No:
This stinks. Sure, it’s framed as supporting parents and families, but it isn’t about care; it’s very much about control (4). Anytime a Republican administration greenlights a resolution like this, ask yourself why they’re interested in “parental rights” or just what goes on within families. Moreover, suppose a child is abused by a parent; with this constitutionally enshrined, investigation and prosecution becomes more difficult. Any two-bit shyster could cite this amendment and probably get a turnover on appeal.
Proposition 16 (SJR 37): Clarifying citizenship requirement for voters
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
Why I’m voting (HARD) No:
God, they just don’t stop with this idiocy. Only US citizens can vote in US elections. Period. This is already established in the US constitution. This is already federal law. The only reason to have this on the ballot is to be able to wield the Texas constitution like a cudgel.
Proposition 17 (HJR 34): Property tax exemption for border security infrastructure
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.”
Why I’m voting (with another hard) No:
So Abbot’s looking to validate his theatrics and while border counties get a break, the rest of the state is going to pay for his racist, xenophobic performance piece? Aw, hell naw.
So there you have it. I hope this is helpful and here are some further resources that you really should read, as well as a handy spreadsheet you can use for an easy reference.
Notes:
- Davis.
- Davis.
- Méndez
- Owens
Sources/Further Reading
Davis, Michelle H.. Texas 2025 Constitutional Amendments Ballot Guide And Vote Recommendations. Lone Star Left. August 27, 2025. https://www.lonestarleft.com/p/texas-2025-constitutional-amendments
Méndez, Maria. 17 statewide propositions will appear on the November ballot. Here’s what Texas voters need to know. Texas Tribune. September 22, 2025. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/texas-statewide-propositions-november-ballot-election
Owens, Tatum. 2025 Texas Statewide Ballot Guide. Progress Texas. October 8, 2025. https://progresstexas.org/blog/2025-texas-statewide-ballot-guide
TPR staff. Texas Policy Research. June 30, 2025. https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com/texas-2025-constitutional-amendments-explained-ballot-guide-vote-recommendations/
Spreadsheet:
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