Early Voting Begins Tomorrow in Texas. Those 14 Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot Explained

[blogslug]

That's right. Fourteen state-wide ballot measures. Here's an explainer of what the heck you're voting for or against:

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/15/texas-constitutional-amendment-voter-guide/?utm_source=liveblogshare&utm_medium=social#d08b01bb-0e0f-4ddf-81b4-9fac48af1f50

To find out more about elections in your area go to: https://www.vote411.org/

[Old Crank]

1. A lawyer friend in Texas

Posted a flip chart of those just the other day.
As usual, some are good and some are there to cement GOP and or corporate power.

[Old Crank]

2. Prop 7

Support for oil companies by subsidizing gas fired electric producers.

[Old Crank]

3. A more progressive look at the measures

From Mothers Against Gregg Abbott PAC
Click the prop for their comments

https://mothersagainstgregabbott.com/2023-ballot-propositions/

[callous taoboy]

5. Many, many thanks for posting this, Old Crank!

I wish our local Democratic office would do this.

[nature-lover]

7. Thank you! I have shared this with several people.

[yellowdogintexas]

10. I disagree on Prop 4. Many homeowners will receive a financial boost

from having their homestead exemption increased. I know it will benefit us significantly. The average anticipated tax reduction is $1300. If the home you own in Texas is your primary residence, you can claim homestead exemption. This exemption reduces the value against which your tax rates are applied. Those of us with moderately priced homes will see the most benefit.

When you reach age 65, there is an additional exemption.

[Old Crank]

11. I have no dog in this hunt

Just posted it because a friend put it on FB. One question on these things, esp where I vote, is always who is funding this measure?

Always remember that tax breaks, exemptions, are never neutral. If an entity needs X dollars per year to run, when someone's burden is lowered you end up with an increased burden elsewhere or debt, which is an increased burden for another time.

[yellowdogintexas]

12. The Texas government has this "rainy day fund" which is exploding

it hasn't been touched in forever and Democrats have been campaigning for years to release some of that money. So funds were released from that several billion dollar fund to allow this reduction in our property taxes. Interestingly, the League of Women Voters information tells us the average tax savings to the homeowner is approx $1300, and that owners of moderately priced homes will benefit the most.

[joshdawg]

4. Thanks for the heads up.

[tanyev]

6. Thanks for the resources.

Been meaning to dig into these and hadn't gotten to it yet.

[walkingman]

8. Prop 6 is a trojan amendment (although it will pass) 73% of the time they do.

Prop 6 sounds good. After all we have serious issues with water availability due to perpetual drought.

However, this is not a good proposal. A few examples of the reality of water that are already taking place.

The I-35 corridor from Austin to San Antonio is becoming completely full of houses and development. Of course they approve the real estate development even though there is not water because they have already tapped out the Edwards aquifer. So instead they go about 50 miles to the east and build pipelines to SA and Kyle/Buda and will be pumping up to 80 million gallons per day from the carriso/wilcox aquifers to these areas. This mean that the people that have exempt wells water table will drop up to 300-400ft and have no water. Instead of having a mitigation fund to help those affected. The State legislature actually approved SB1080 to provide this relief but Gov. Abbott vetoed it - wouldn't want to offend his for-profit business donors.

But the biggest issue will be the FRACKING companies use 10s of millions of gallons of fresh water to frack and you can bet it if passes (which it will) then taxpayers will be providing this water to these for-profit companies.

It is wrong but it is so TEXAS. These amendments will pass. Some are actually good but not many.

I always say consider the source - the right-wing controlled Texas Legislature - they are all for the trickle down theory that if it is good for business it is good for Texans - that is total BS.

Sorry for the rant.

FIGHT THE POWER!

[blogslug]

9. Thank you

I live up top, near the Ogallala. I knew that one smelled funny.