Today is Election Day. Hopefully you’ve all done your civic duty and early voted. If not here is Nick’s handy dandy guide to all the props on the ballot. Disclaimer: Nick has done the bare minimum of research on all of this and it’s mostly based on his own personal politics and beliefs. Take it with a grain of salt.
If you want something more official, Nick recommends the League of Women’s Voters nonpartisan guide that does an excellent job of laying out the pros and cons for you to make your own decisions.
Prop 1
“The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”
Nick says: A vote for Prop 1 sounds good on the surface, however it includes drinking water protection and I don’t trust Elon Musk not to use it let him pollute Texas waterways with runoff from the Tesla factory. No on Prop 1.
Prop 2
“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.”
Nick says: This is great for the owners of child-care facilities, but do you really trust them to not just pocket the savings and call it profit? I don’t. Plus the money from lowered taxes has to come from somewhere. No on Prop 2.
Prop 3
“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.”
Nick says: There’s not a wealth tax in Texas and nobody’s proposing one. “They” just want to get a preemptive ban on the books while everyone is all worked up about property taxes. Plus who benefits the most from a wealth tax ban? The wealthy. If that’s you, congrats. For the rest of us, don’t let them spook you. No on Prop 3.
Prop 4
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…”
Nick says: I rent, so I don’t care about property tax relief. I can’t blame you for voting yes if you own your home, but it’s a no on Prop 4 for me.
Prop 5
“The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”
Nick says: The real world effect of this seems minimal. The idea of it sounds better in theory than practice. But it would give money to Texas State and as an alumnus I aint giving them any of my money.
Consider my vote of yes on Prop 5 as an official donation.
Prop 6
“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”
Nick says: Sounds good in theory, but doesn’t seem to actually do enough affect the stated goal. Do you actually trust the people in charge of this money to use it properly? I don’t. No on Prop 6.
Prop 7
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”
Nick says: Again this sounds good in theory, but it basically subsidizes natural gas and does nothing to promote solar and wind projects. Vote yes if you want, but don’t cry to me when the grid collapses during the next winter storm. No on Prop 7 for me.
Prop 8
“The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”
Nick says: Basically do you trust the Texas government to spend this money on the people who actually need it? I don’t. No on Prop 8.
Prop 9
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”
Nick says: Full disclosure my mom is a retired teacher so that means I’m automatically a yes on Prop 9.
Prop 10
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.”
Nick says: Correct me if I’m wrong, but biomedical manufacturing doesn’t really seem like a mom and pop industry. It’s not like giving them tax breaks are going to suddenly make healthcare in Texas affordable. No on Prop 10.
Prop 11
“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.”
Nick says: Don’t know why I’m voting on stuff that affects El Paso, but in a vacuum I’m always going to vote to help build more parks. Yes on Prop 11.
Prop 12
“The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
Nick says: The current county treasurer’s platform was to get rid of the position, so effectively the people this effects want it. However I believe in checks and balances so if they’re going to let me weigh in, I say no on Prop 12.
Prop 13
“The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”
Nick says: They had their time, enjoy the pickleball scene your honor. No on Prop 13.
Prop 14
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of a centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”
Nick says: Who doesn’t want more parks? Yes on Prop 14.
Travis County Only
Prop A
The issuance of $233 million road bonds to fund a multitude of transportation projects.
Nick says: The details on where the money goes are very specific, but in general I’m always going to vote yes for better roads. Yes on Prop A.
Prop B
The issuance of $276 million in bonds to fund a multitude of parks and green-space projects.
Nick says: As I’ve said before more parks are good. Yes on Prop B.
