2023 Constitutional Amendments Cheat Sheet
Prop 1 – HJR 126
"The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because there are plenty of laws already on the books that already protect farming. This law will actually strip the rights of people who have property (farms, ranches, etc) near factory farmers. Right now nuisance laws are being used to fight back against these corporations who are polluting the waters. Those nuisance laws will become void under this proposition because it switches the power from local government to state government.
Prop 2 – SJR 64 / SB 1145
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because most childcare throughout the state is run by corporations and not traditional babysitting situations where an old lady watches kids. Besides helping big business it also creates another carve out in the tax system. Our state tax system is a complete mess. It needs an overhaul but the Republicans refuse to do so and just want to keep creating tax carve outs.
Prop 3 – HJR 132
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because this is billionaire welfare. The wealthy are the biggest tax cheats in the nation and they cost us TRILLIONS in lost revenue for this nation. We could use that lost revenue money in many areas that need public funds such as healthcare, public education, getting homeless off the streets, & giving raises to the rank and file of the military so their families aren't on food stamps and working multiple jobs just to keep from being homeless…
Prop 4 – HJR 3 (2nd Special Session / SB 2 (2nd SS)
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because this will devastate public education. We are already seeing schools shutting down due to lack of funds. Soon we may have entire counties with no school system in it.
Prop 5 – HJR 3 / HB 1595
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because Texas needs more research universities especially as certain laws that cause devastating effects to women's health are causing doctors to flee the state. So far our universities have kept high enrollment but many parents are telling their kids to look at other states and their universities.
Prop 6 – SJR 75 / SB 28
"The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because it is needed, but there is worry it could be used to prop up fracking operations as they are considered water projects. Still a yes, but keep an eye on how it can be abused.
Prop 7 – SJR 93 / SB 2627
"The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because there is something really shady about this proposition. PUC who runs ERCOT and is appointed by Greg Abbott will be the ones in charge of this. It focuses ONLY on carbon based pollution causing power generators while Texas currently leads in wind power generation. This is DESIGNED to hurt renewal energy sources and to give corporate welfare to the oil & gas corporations.
Prop 8 – HJR 125 / HB 9
"The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because this is in addition to the Biden Broadband money Texas is getting. This is going to help a lot of people who live in areas where there isn't good cell phone let alone internet service.
Prop 9 – HJR 2 / SB 10
"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 recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because Texas teachers are woefully underfunded, Texas teachers by state law do not pay into Social Security so the only retirement funds they have comes from this system. COLA has not been updated in years. Unfortunately this COLA adjustment expires in 2025. More needs to be done.
Prop 10 – SJR 87 / SB 2289
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE NO!
The reason why is because this is again a tax carve out specifically for big business.
Prop 11 – SJR 32
"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."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because El Paso is the biggest county to not already have conservation and reclamation districts.
Prop 12 – HJR 134
"The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County."
Our recommendation is NO. VOTE NO!
The reason why is because this is a power grab by certain people in Galveston in order to get away with spending public money however they want. Or because the County Judge previously misused federal funds and made Galveston not be eligible for ANY FEMA funds, the state and federal government will impound the public money and the county will implode. Either way, there should always be a county treasurer to manage public money for the county.
Prop 13 – HJR 107
"The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because with the evolution of modern medicine we have people working and living longer. We have had in the past younger judges with cognitive decline that took a long time to get them out of office. We need cognitive tests instead of mandatory age retirements.
Prop 14 – SJR 74 / SB 1648
"The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks."
Our recommendation is VOTE YES!
The reason why is because we need more state parks and need to fix up our current state parks.
Others have done extensive research into the propositions one of which is the Henderson County Democratic Party.
Here is the 142 page dissertation on the propositions.
Where/When to vote!
Tuesday November 7, 2023 Special Election
Early Voting Location: Calhoun County Courthouse 211 S. Ann Port Lavaca, TX 77979
Early Voting Hours - Week 1: October 23 - October 28
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Election Day: Tuesday November 7, 2023 At Your Designated Polling Locations:
PCT. 1 - CALHOUN COUNTY LIBRARY
Biblioteca del Condado Calhoun
200 W. Mahan
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 2 - BAUER EXHIBIT BUILDING
Edificio de exposiciones de Bauer
186 Henry Barber Way
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 3 - MAGNOLIA BEACH VOL. FIRE DEPT.
Departamento de bomberos Magnoilia Beach
873 Margie Tewmey Rd.
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 4 - CALHOUN COUNTY ANNEX
Anexo del Condado Calhoun
201 W. Austin St.
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 5 - SIX MILE VOL. FIRE DEPT.
Bomberos de Seis Millas
34 Royal Rd
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 6 - PORT LAVACA CITY HALL
Ayuntamiento de Port Lavaca
202 N. Virginia St.
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
For More Information Please Call Calhoun County Elections (361) 553-4440
PCT. 7 - BAUER COMMUNITY CENTER
Centro comunitario Bauer
2300 N. Hwy 35
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 8 - OLIVIA FIRE STATION
Estacion de bomberos Olivia
61 Co. Rd. 318
Olivia, TX 77978
PCT. 9 - CALHOUN COUNTY EMS
Servicio Medicos de Emercencia
705 Henry Barber Way
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
PCT. 10 - SEADRIFT CITY HALL
Ayuntamiento de Seadrift
501 S. Main St.
Seadrift, TX 77983
PCT. 11 PORT O'CONNOR LIBRARY
Biblioteca de Port O'Connor
506 W. Main
Port O’Connor, TX 77982
Early Voting Hours - Week 2: October 30 - November 3
Monday - Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday - Friday 7am - 7pm