Early voting is underway. State Rep. Rafael Anchia sent out his voters guide to the 17 propositions on the ballot and his recommended vote on each. Here’s what he sent:
| Proposition #1 Texas State Technical College Funding Proposition 1 would create permanent funds to provide stable funding for buildings, equipment, and job training at Texas State Technical Colleges. These colleges serve over 10,000 students annually, training Texans for good-paying technical jobs. This ensures our technical colleges have reliable resources to meet the skilled workforce needs of Texas businesses. VOTE YES Proposition #2 Ban on Capital Gains Tax Proposition 2 would prohibit Texas from ever imposing a tax on investment profits (capital gains). Texas doesn’t have this tax now and hasn’t considered adding one. It unnecessarily limits our state’s future ability to adjust tax policy if needed. Without this option, the tax burden stays on regular Texans through sales taxes. VOTE NO Proposition #3 Bail Denial for Certain Violent Crimes Proposition 3 would require judges to deny bail to people charged with serious violent crimes like murder, aggravated assault with serious injury, or aggravated kidnapping. Currently, it’s very difficult to deny bail before trial, which means individuals who may be a danger to others can often post bond and return to the community. This measure provides stronger community safety protections. VOTE YES Proposition #4 Texas Water Fund Proposition 4 would dedicate up to $1 billion annually in sales tax revenue to upgrade water infrastructure and finance new water supply projects. As Texas grows, this ensures we have adequate water for drinking, agriculture, and economic development. VOTE YES Proposition #5 Animal Feed Tax Exemption Proposition 5 would exempt animal feed inventory in stores from business property taxes, but there’s no guarantee the savings get passed to consumers. Exemptions for animal feed would give an unfair tax benefit to feed sellers, as almost all other forms of inventory are subject to property tax. This measure would reduce local government revenue, which means homeowners and other taxpayers will likely need to make up the difference. VOTE NO Proposition #6 Ban on Financial Transaction Taxes Proposition 6 would permanently ban a tax on stock and bond trades that Texas doesn’t have and hasn’t proposed. Like Proposition 2, it unnecessarily restricts future flexibility and could force greater reliance on sales taxes that hurt lower-income families. VOTE NO Proposition #7 Veteran Spouse Property Tax Relief Proposition 7 would extend property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of veterans who died from conditions recognized by the federal PACT Act (like toxic exposure). This ensures fair and equal property tax relief for all veteran families. VOTE YES Proposition #8 Ban on Estate, Inheritance, and Gift Taxes Proposition 8 would ban estate, inheritance, and gift taxes—none of which Texas currently imposes. This is another measure that limits our state’s future fiscal flexibility without addressing any actual current issue. VOTE NO Proposition #9 Business Personal Property Taxes Proposition 9 would raise the exemption for business equipment and inventory taxes from $2,500 to $125,000 and makes businesses of all sizes eligible. Supporting local businesses helps our economy grow. VOTE YES Proposition #10 Fire Disaster Property Tax Relief Proposition 10 would allow temporary, prorated property tax exemptions for homeowners whose primary residence was destroyed by fire and remains uninhabitable for at least 30 days. The exemption applies only during the tax year of the fire, providing relief to families recovering from disaster. VOTE YES Proposition #11 Tax Exemption for Senior and Disabled Texans Proposition 11 would increase the school property tax exemption for homeowners 65+ or with disabilities from $10,000 to $60,000. This helps protect over 2 million Texans on fixed incomes. The state would offset the revenue loss to school districts from the increased exemption. VOTE YES Proposition #12 Judicial Conduct Proposition 12 would restructure the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC), giving the Texas Governor power to appoint a majority of the commission that disciplines judges. This threatens judicial independence by centralizing too much power under the Governor, who could influence how judges are disciplined if they disagree with him. This threatens the separation of powers, and the impartiality of the courts. VOTE NO Proposition #13 Homestead Exemption Increase Proposition 13 would increase the general property tax exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000 — seniors and disabled Texans would also benefit. This provides additional tax relief while the state reimburses school districts for lost revenue. VOTE YES Proposition #14 Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Proposition 14 would create a research institute with $3 billion to study and develop treatments for dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Over 500,000 Texans currently suffer from dementia, costing families billions annually, and this investment could lead to life-changing breakthroughs. VOTE YES Proposition #15 Protections for Parental Rights Proposition 15 would add explicit constitutional protection affirming parents’ fundamental right to raise, care for, educate, and make decisions on behalf of their children. VOTE YES Proposition #16 Clarification of Voter’s Citizenship Status Requirement Proposition 16 would reinstate that only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas. Please know that citizenship is already required by law and verified for voter registration. VOTE YES Proposition #17 Property Tax Exemption for Border Security Infrastructure Proposition 17 would ensures that when the government installs infrastructure for its border security efforts on private property, those improvements won’t increase the property’s tax value. This protects landowners from higher taxes. VOTE YES |
For a quick summary, that’s no on 2, 5, 6, 8 and 12. Yes on the rest. Or vote for what you believe is best for yourself and for Texas. But vote.
— David Taffet