The office of Texas Representative Jonathan Stickland recently e-mailed out a summary of the seven propositions that will be voted on in the upcoming election. The information below includes the actual text that will appear on the ballot, and a brief summary of what it actually means.

We encourage all eligible voters to take the time to read and understand these measures and exercise your right as a Texan to vote.  In the e-mail from Representative Stickland, he outlined that it was not his goal to tell anyone how to vote, but simply to explain what is be voted on in plain English.

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 1: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization for less than the market value of the residence homestead and harmonizing certain related provisions of the Texas Constitution.”

WHAT IT DOES:   This would authorize property tax exemptions for certain partially disabled veterans or their surviving spouses — specifically veterans whose homes were donated to them by a charitable organization for less than market value.

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 2: “The constitutional amendment to establish a lower amount for expenses that can be charged to a borrower and removing certain financing expense limitations for a home equity loan, establishing certain authorized lenders to make a home equity loan, changing certain options for the refinancing of home equity loans, changing the threshold for an advance of a home equity line of credit, and allowing home equity loans on agricultural homesteads.”

WHAT IT DOES:  This decreases the restrictions placed on home equity loans.

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 3: “The constitutional amendment limiting the service of certain officeholders appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate after the expiration of the person’s term of office.”

WHAT IT DOES: This limits Governor appointees whose terms have expired but have not yet been replaced, to service in their official capacity only until the end of the next legislative session. 

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 4: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to require a court to provide notice to the attorney general of a challenge to the constitutionality of a state statute and authorizing the legislature to prescribe a waiting period before the court may enter a judgment holding the statute unconstitutional.”

WHAT IT DOES: This requires all courts to notify the Texas Attorney General of any constitutional challenge to any state law. 

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 5: “The constitutional amendment on professional sports team charitable foundations conducting charitable raffles.”

WHAT IT DOES: This changes the definition of what is considered a professional sports team to include other team-based organizations (minor league teams and other sports)allowing them to hold charitable raffles. This also authorizes debit card as an acceptable payment in the raffles.

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 6: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a first responder who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.”

WHAT IT DOES: This gives property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of first responders who have been killed in the line of duty.

STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION 7: “The constitutional amendment relating to legislative authority to permit credit unions and other financial institutions to award prizes by lot to promote savings.”

WHAT IT DOES: This would allow banks and other financial institutions to conduct promotional activities, such as offering prizes in order to encourage savings.
Important Links:

Representative Stickland’s Office

Sample Ballots by Entity for Tarrant County

Tarrant County Voter Lookup