Breckenridge Texan

The November 7 Elections are almost here; early voting starts October 23. Historically, there have been 517 amendments added since our current Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876. During this election, the voters of Texas may add up to fourteen more. Some of the propositions are extremely relevant for our district (Parker, Palo Pinto, and Stephens Counties) and our office wanted to highlight a few of these propositions, in numerical order, to help inform voters before they head to the polls.

Proposition 1 will read: “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.” As a veterinarian and rancher, I fully recognize the importance of this amendment. This will protect the rights of agricultural producers to engage in normally accepted agricultural practices on their land. The proposition will also protect agricultural producers and ag operations from claims, like nuisance law suits. Urban people should care about the importance of agriculture and its effect on food security and national security and the importance of protecting open spaces. We need a constitutional amendment because we cannot be assured that the legislature of the future will continue to be favorable towards agriculture. Our agricultural operations in District 60 deserve the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–the passage of this amendment will help ensure these promises.

Proposition 4 will read: “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.” If passed, this amendment will provide the largest property tax cut in Texas history. The Senate and the House worked together to bring the best of each chamber’s tax relief bills into one far-reaching tax cut package that benefits both homeowners and businesses. It reduces the school property tax rate for all homeowners and business properties and it more than doubles the homestead exemption. Texans have been nearly taxed out of their own homes for too long. This amendment will protect Texas homeowners, including our senior citizens and disabled neighbors.

Proposition 6 will read: “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.” After experiencing several intense droughts along with a booming influx of new residents, Texans realize now more than ever that water is life. Parker County relies heavily on groundwater, a finite source. Palo Pinto and Stephens Counties have been calling for new surface water projects for years. This amendment creates the Texas water fund, a new and significant resource for additional water project funding. As more people realize that our area is a wonderful place to raise a family and grow a business, this amendment is a giant first step in securing the funds for water projects so essential to our growing communities. As District 60’s population continues to boom, we must ensure we have reliable water sources.

Proposition 8 will read: “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.” Over two million Texas homes do not have access to broadband and over three million cannot utilize broadband due to socioeconomic challenges. Additionally, four of the five least connected cities in the US are in Texas and one in every six public school students in Texas lacks access to high-speed internet. Telehealth opportunities abound in Texas, where sixty-four counties lack a hospital, and twenty-five counties lack a single primary physician. For farmers and ranchers, modern precision agriculture requires connectivity. Digital literacy and connectivity are not an option, but an absolute necessity.

Proposition 9 will read: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.” Our retired teachers have not had a cost-of-living adjustment in two decades. Many rely solely on their Teacher Retirement System pension to pay their bills and retired teachers across our district have described their struggles. Numerous retirees have been forced to start working part-time jobs. With intense inflation, now is the time to help our retired teachers. This is not a tax increase as the funds are already available. However, the voters must authorize the issuance of the cost-of-living adjustment to the retirees.

For these Constitutional Amendments to appear on the ballot, each of these fourteen amendments required a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

A complete descriptive list of all 14 constitutional amendments can be found at https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/amendments/analyses23.pdf.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have additional questions. I encourage you to research all fourteen propositions before you enter the voting booth and “know before you go” how each will impact our community. Nothing is more powerful than an informed, motivated electorate; for the future of the great State of Texas, get out and go VOTE!