The fate of Texas’ future took center stage as voters across the Lone Star State cast their ballots on a series of consequential constitutional amendments. With 14 propositions on the ballot, covering topics ranging from property taxes to retirement age for judges, Texans faced a crucial decision-making process. These amendments held the power to shape policies, allocate resources, and impact the lives of residents in diverse ways. The results of these amendments would not only reflect the will of the voters but also set the course for Texas’ governance, its economy, and the well-being of its citizens in the years to come. As the votes were tallied and the decisions made, the Texan electorate’s choices are as follows:

Proposition 1 (PASSED):  Requiring state and local governments to provide evidence that regulation of generally accepted farming and ranching practices is needed to protect the public from danger.

  • Approved: Yes – 2,013,645 votes (79%)
  • No – 532,601 votes (21%)

Proposition 2 (PASSED): Allowing cities and counties to exempt child care providers from property taxes on any facility used to run a child care business.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,616,675 votes (65%)
  • No – 880,551 votes (35%)

Proposition 3 (PASSED): Forcing lawmakers to ask voters for authorization before they could impose any new state taxes on residents that would be based on net worth or wealth.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,702,701 votes (68%)
  • No – 802,476 votes (32%)

Proposition 4 (PASSED):  Allowing the state to spend $18 billion on property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses, cut school districts’ tax rates, and enact other tax changes.

  • Approved: Yes – 2,107,038 votes (83%)
  • No – 418,073 votes (17%)

Proposition 5 (PASSED): Authorizing the state to create the Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment to help “emerging” research universities across the state enhance their research capabilities.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,609,558 votes (64%)
  • No – 894,061 votes (36%)

Proposition 6 (PASSED): Creating a water fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board to support a wide range of projects, including fixing Texas’ aging, deteriorating pipes, acquiring more water sources, and mitigating water loss.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,954,726 votes (78%)
  • No – 564,489 votes (22%)

Proposition 7 (PASSED): Creating an energy fund allowing officials to distribute loans and grants to companies with the aim of building new natural gas-fueled power plants.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,633,410 votes (65%)
  • No – 881,673 votes (35%)

Proposition 8 (PASSED): Creating a broadband infrastructure fund where $1.5 billion would be allocated to expand internet availability in Texas, where some 7 million people currently lack access.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,737,420 votes (69%)
  • No – 765,786 votes (31%)

Proposition 9 (PASSED): Providing some retired Texas teachers with cost-of-living raises to their monthly pension checks.

  • Approved: Yes – 2,130,045 votes (84%)
  • No – 414,439 votes (16%)

Proposition 10 (PASSED): Exempting school districts, cities, and counties from collecting property taxes on the value of equipment and inventory held by medical and biomedical product manufacturers.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,361,819 votes (55%)
  • No – 1,112,870 votes (45%)

Proposition 11 (PASSED): Permitting conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by property taxes to fund recreational development and improvement. Eleven other Texas counties are already authorized to do this.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,514,353 votes (63%)
  • No – 878,832 votes (37%)

Proposition 12 (PASSED): Abolishing Galveston County’s office of the county treasurer, an office that exists in other Texas counties.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,205,138 votes (53%)
  • No – 1,069,689 votes (47%)

Proposition 13 (REJECTED):  Increasing the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 75 to 79 and the minimum retirement age from 70 to 75.

  • Rejected: Yes – 926,674 votes (37%)
  • No – 1,555,844 votes (63%)

Proposition 14 (PASSED): Creating a centennial parks conservation fund to invest more than $1 billion to create and improve state parks.

  • Approved: Yes – 1,914,077 votes (76%)
  • No – 589,326 votes (24%)

 

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