On November 3,Texans will be going to the polls to vote. This year there are seven proposed amendments to the state constitution. To help you become better informed, each week one of the propositions will be highlighted. This week it’s Proposition 4. Please read and prepare to vote. Staying home on November 3 is not an option for concerned women of Texas.
November 3, 2015, Constitutional Amendment Election Ballot Language
(Please visit the Texas Legislature Online home page to obtain further information.)
Understand Texas Proposition 1 – SJR 1- Property Tax Relief
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, authorizing the legislature to prohibit a political subdivision that has adopted an optional residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation from reducing the amount of or repealing the exemption, and prohibiting the enactment of a law that imposes a transfer tax on a transaction that conveys fee simple title to real property.”
Rep. Matt Krause, Texas District 93, states this concerning Texas Proposition 1:
Proposition 1 will increase the homestead exemption for property taxes from $15,000 to $25,000. It is the legislature’s hope that this amendment will bring some relief to the rising costs of property ownership in the state. Proposition 1 is a good start towards property tax relief.
Understand Texas Proposition 2 – HJR 75 – Exemption from Ad Valorem Taxation
“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 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.”
Rep Matt Krause, Texas District 93, states this concerning Texas Proposition 2:
Proposition 2 will allow for a property tax exemption for those 100 percent disabled or the surviving spouse of a service member who is not currently covered under the law.
Understand Texas Proposition 3 – SJR 52 – Residence for state officers
“The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.”
Rep Matt Krause, Texas District 93, states this concerning Texas Proposition 3
The Constitution of 1876 was the first constitution that required a statewide elected official to reside in the capital of Texas. Since the passage of the Constitution of 1876 this provision has not been changed.
Proposition 3 addresses the residency requirements for statewide elected officers. This amendment would repeal the current requirement that these officers reside in the state capital.
Understand Proposition 4 – HJR 73 – Charitable Raffles
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.”
Rep Matt Krause, Texas District 93, states this concerning Texas Proposition 4
Prop 4 would allow the sports franchises to do as many raffles as they want to. And it would allow them to use real property and cash prizes.
The money is not used to pay for players or personnel. Instead, it is used only for the charitable arm of these sports franchises – to support charitable efforts in our communities.
Understand Texas Proposition 5 – SJR 17- Private Road Construction
“The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.”
Understand Texas Proposition 6 – SJR 22 – Wildlife Conservation
“The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.”
Understand Texas Proposition 7 – SJR 5 – State Highway Fund
“The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for nontolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.”