With Early Voting beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, the Telegram contacted state and local politicians for their views on the 17 statewide constitutional amendments on the November ballot.
Marjorie Kamys of Senator Pete Flores’ office, R-Pleasanton, wrote, “The Senator supports them all.”
Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, shared detailed information about the propositions via an email newsletter and with the Telegram.
Temple Mayor Tim Davis did not endorse or oppose any propositions but instead gave the potential impact on city revenue.
“As most of the small political subdivisions are not elected based on partisanship, we try to stay out of partisan politics,” Belton Mayor David K. Leigh wrote. “A pothole doesn’t need to be a Democrat or a Republican.”
After this disclaimer, Leigh explained his willingness to comment.
“As an elected official and a citizen of this great state, I want people to be fully informed,” Leigh wrote.
Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, did not reply, but his votes on the issues are public record.
Proposition 1 (SJR 59) provides additional funds to Texas State Technical College.
“Proposition 1 would dedicate $850 million from existing state general revenue to support TSTC, helping more Texans access the training they need to secure good-paying jobs and strengthen our state’s future workforce,” Hickland stated.
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“As a local employer in manufacturing, we also employed many folks from TSTC and I think it’s a wonderful institution,” Leigh wrote. “I think this is a very wise and reasonable solution to help fund a critical organization in our region.”
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 2 (SJR 18) would ban capital gains taxes.
“This is pro-taxpayer,” Hickland wrote. “It would prohibit the legislature from taxing the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“We don’t like tax and spend politics, and we wish to limit it as much as possible,” Leigh wrote. “As a fiscal conservative, I support limited taxes.”
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 3 (SJR 5) would create bail reform.
“Bail reform has long been a contentious issue, but time and again we’ve seen rogue judges set bail for violent offenders who are then released only to commit even worse crimes,” Hickland stated. “Supporting Prop 3 helps keep violent criminals off our streets and protects Texas families.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
Leigh wrote that he did not know enough about the issue to comment.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 4 (HJR 7) would create a funding mechanism for water infrastructure.
“To keep up with demand, local water utilities need funding to maintain, modernize, and expand infrastructure while keeping water bills affordable,” Hickland stated. “If approved, Prop 4 will NOT increase or impose any state taxes or fees.”
Davis claimed it had no immediate impact on Temple’s general fund budget but could have a significant future impact due to the “expensive” cost of water infrastructure.
“I support efforts to help fund and regulate water usage for certain areas of our state,” Leigh wrote. “That being said, any additional service provided by our government requires funding … and this will take money from our primary revenue source (sales tax) and divert it to a new program, thus creating a relative decrease to other state programs.”
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 5 (HJR 99) would create a tax exemption on animal feed.
Hickland wrote she supports the amendment, which would allow the legislature to exempt animal feed held for retail sale from ad valorem taxation, with HB1399 set to implement the change.
Davis claimed it will not add to a retail store’s operating costs, thus passing savings to the end user, but will reduce funds available to the city budget by a small but manageable amount.
“As a farmer/rancher, this seems reasonable to not collect tax on ag products that are tax-free,” Leigh wrote.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 6 (HJR 4) would create a securities tax ban.
“This would prohibit the legislature from imposing an occupation tax on securities market operators, such as stock exchanges and stock brokers, regulated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission,” Hickland wrote in support.
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
Leigh wrote that he believes the proposition bans taxes that the state currently does not collect, affirming a choice Texans have already made.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 7 (HJR 133) provides a tax exemption for veterans’ spouses.
“The need to support those who have served must be balanced with maintaining the strength and sustainability of the communities they call home. House Bill 2508, which placed this measure on the ballot, passed overwhelmingly in both the Texas House and Senate, reflecting broad legislative support. Now, it is up to Texans to decide,” Hickland wrote. “Out of respect for our veterans, their families, local governments, and fellow citizens, I will continue to work toward long-term solutions that honor those who have served and support the communities they live in. And even more, I remain committed to reducing the burden of property taxes on all Texans.”
Davis claimed the proposition honors the sacrifice the service-related families have made, who did not have the 100% disability rating at the time of the service member’s death. He added that it will reduce the city’s budget by a small but manageable amount, due to the small number of qualifying surviving spouses.
“Anything we can do to assist those who’ve paid the highest price for the defense of this country is both admirable and just,” Leigh wrote. “That being said, we have higher concentrations of veterans and veteran spouses around military bases and VA hospitals. This tax exemption decreases the revenues locally without a ‘make whole’ provision from the state. So, as you can imagine, a city like Killeen will have a loss in revenue while another area of the state, like Highland Park in the DFW metroplex, may see little to no difference. While it is an admirable and just action, the state fiscal note does not provide for a way to fund the loss in revenue to some or most local municipalities.”
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 8 (HJR 2) sets up an inheritance tax ban.
Hickland wrote that she supports the item, describing it as a “death tax.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
Leigh wrote that he supported the item along with Propositions 2 and 6.
Buckley voted for the item.
Under current law, businesses must pay taxes on income-generating inventory and equipment valued at $2,500 or more. Proposition 9 (HJR 1) would increase the tax exemption.
“If approved, this measure would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s inventory or equipment from taxation by school districts, cities, counties, or other local taxing entities, a major step toward protecting small businesses and keeping our economy strong,” Hickland stated.
Hickland also coauthored the bill.
Davis claimed it provides tax relief for businesses, but will reduce funds available for the city budget, likely by more than Propositions 5, 7 and 10.
“As a small business owner, I like this idea. But, as I stated in Prop 7, this legislation will decrease local revenues without replacing them. As citizens, we may be electing to take money out of someone else’s tax revenue without replacing it,” Leigh wrote. “This type of legislation can lead to ‘gaming the system’ where a single business could be split into multiple businesses, each owning just $150,000 or less in inventory and equipment.”
Buckley voted for the item, which he also coauthored.
Proposition 10 (SJR 84) creates a tax exemption for homes destroyed by fire.
Hickland wrote that she supports the proposition as it will “help those hit by the tragic loss of their home.”
“This seems to be in the category of ‘duh’ and I can’t think of any reason to be against something that seems so common sense,” Leigh wrote.
Davis claimed it will reduce the city’s general fund by a small but manageable amount.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 11 (SJR 85) provides a school tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners.
“Under current law, elderly or disabled homeowners receive a residence homestead property tax exemption that reduces the taxable value of their home by $10,000 for school district taxes,” Hickland stated. “Prop 11 would increase that exemption to $60,000, providing much-needed tax relief and helping seniors and disabled Texans stay in their homes as the cost of living continues to climb.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
Leigh wrote that the proposition supports the promises of state elected officials to decrease the property tax burden. “I assume there are corresponding revenues to help offset these for school districts,” he added.
Buckley was absent for the vote.
Proposition 12 (SJR 27) would change the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to sanction judges for misconduct more effectively.
Hickland supports the proposition, writing that it would give the governor the power to appoint most of the judges, remove attorney appointments by the State Bar, and end the random selection of appellate judges who review misconduct complaints.
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
Leigh wrote that he did not know enough about the issue to comment.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 13 (SJR 2) increases the school tax exemption for homeowners.
“Currently, Texans receive a $100,000 residence homestead exemption on their school district property taxes,” Hickland stated. “Proposition 13 would increase that exemption to $140,000, giving homeowners meaningful additional property tax relief.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s budget.
As with Proposition 11, Leigh wrote that Proposition 13 supports the promises of state elected officials to decrease the property tax burden.
Buckley was absent for the vote.
Proposition 14 (SJR 3) would establish a Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and transfer $3 billion from state surplus revenue into a new fund, with ongoing appropriations capped annually.
Hickland wrote that she felt neutral about this bill.
“This proposal reflects a commitment by the legislature to support research, prevention, and care for dementia and related neurological diseases. Now, the choice rests with voters,” Hickland wrote. “I encourage Texans to learn the facts, weigh the benefits and trade‑offs, and decide whether this investment aligns with our shared goals for health, innovation, and fiscal responsibility.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“There was a government surplus and some of this money was used to create this fund and received bipartisan support,” Leigh wrote.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 15 (SJR 34) would codify parental rights.
“The proposed amendment would provide an express constitutional guarantee of these generally recognized rights and responsibilities,” Hickland wrote.
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“I do support parental rights as long as the parents are law-abiding citizens who have the best interest for their children’s welfare at heart and in action,” Leigh wrote. “Not all parents are noble, and I think this could create a murky situation, more murky when it comes to divorces and bad actors (child or parent). But I’m not an attorney. As I said, I support parental rights.”
Buckley was absent from voting on the bill.
Proposition 16 (SJR 37) clarifies a citizenship requirement for voters.
Hickland wrote that she supports the item as it expressly prohibits non-citizens from voting in Texas.
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“I thought this was already a thing, but if it wasn’t, I guess this helps,” Leigh wrote.
Buckley voted for the item.
Proposition 17 (HJR 24) provides a property tax exemption for border security infrastructure.
Hickland expressed support for the item, adding, “HB247 would implement the exemption for improvements made under state or federal agreements or easements if voters approve this amendment.”
Davis claimed it had no direct impact on Temple’s general fund budget.
“The challenge with this would be the possible changes in the funding model of schools and/or local political subdivisions that rely on property taxes for funding. I’ve not seen any additional funding from the state funding to make those political subdivisions ‘whole,’” Leigh wrote.
Buckley voted for the item.