We analyzed what would happen if the eight proposed Texas constitutional amendments were passed.
Austin, Texas — On this election day, November 2, Texas voters will see eight state proposals on ballots.
Each is an amendment to the Constitution of Texas, and as always, voters have the opportunity to “agree” or “disagree” with each other.
All potential amendments began in the Texas State Parliament, as the State Constitution cannot be amended by citizen-led voting initiatives or petitions. For this reason, Texas will vote for the amendment in the fall of odd-numbered years, following the spring legislative session.
To help you easily understand how you want to vote for each proposed amendment, we analyzed what would happen if each ballot proposal was passed, and some of the arguments for and against each. ..
Proposal 1 (HJR 143)
This amendment adds the Pro Rodeo Charitable Foundation, accredited by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association or the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association, to the list of similar foundations of other professional sports associations that are allowed to host raffles. If approved, the raffle may take place in a rodeo in Texas.
According to the League of Women Voters (LWV), a nonpartisan organization, discussions to get this prop through have already allowed many other professional sports charities such as the NFL, NBA, and MLB to hold raffles. It is that there is. On the other hand, those who oppose the amendment say that raffle is another form of gambling, and if allowed, this form of gambling could eventually extend beyond professional sports to other types of organizations. It states that there is.
Here’s how the wording of Proposal 1 appears on the ballot:
“A constitutional amendment that allows professional sports teams to carry out charitable raffles at rodeo venues by charities of organizations authorized by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association or the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association.”
Related: Governor Abbott sets November 2 as a special election day for constitutional amendments
Proposal 2 (HJR 99)
The Texas Constitution now congresses that the city will issue bonds or bills to pay for the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in “unproductive, underdeveloped, or devastated areas.” Allows to. This amendment adds counties to political bodies that can issue bonds or bills for that purpose and promises to increase property tax revenues to repay those bonds or bills.
However, if the county issues bonds to improve traffic, the county may allocate more than 65% of the property tax increase to repay the bonds, or use the proceeds of the bonds to build, operate, maintain, or road toll roads. It cannot be used to finance the rights of. Get.
Proponents of the amendment claim that it only allows the same licensed cities and towns that the county already has, according to LWV. The development or redevelopment of transportation infrastructure has the potential to increase asset value. And as the state grows, such development is needed.
Opponents of the amendment say it could increase debt, which could raise local property taxes. Issuing these bonds is “binding future funds to pay debt repayments” because the state’s per capita local debt ratio is too high. And that transportation and infrastructure project may spend money that may go to other government services and projects.
Here’s how the wording of Proposal 2 appears on the ballot:
“A constitutional amendment that allows the county to fund the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or devastated areas of the county.”
Read more