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A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically Voting 2023 Propositions Bonds as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of Voting 2023 Propositions Bonds

There are 14 Propositions to modify the Texas Constitution and 5 bond matters in Collin County.

Blog Summary

Subtopic gives a brief overview of my concerns for the Constitutional amendments. Read more about them here:

The Collin County bonds, some should be funded but not directly through bonds. And some are not truly necessities, and shouldn't be approved as people are struggling right now. Read my blog regarding these for more specifics.

14 Propositions to modify the Texas Constitution and ... 5 bond proposals

Published: 2023-10-23

The unofficial results:

Proposition 1 (farming): Yes
Proposition 2 (child care ad valorem exemption): Yes
Proposition 3 (No wealth tax): Yes
Proposition 4 (Increased homestead exemption): Yes
Proposition 5 (Texas University Fund): Yes
Proposition 6 (Texas Water Fund): Yes
Proposition 7 (Texas Energy Fund): Yes
Proposition 8 (Broadband fund): Yes
Proposition 9 (COLA for qualified retired teachers): Yes
Proposition 10 (Ad valorem exemption for medical manufacturers): Yes, so very sad that it even came close to passing
Proposition 11 (El Paso right to issue certain bonds): Yes
Proposition 12 (Abolish Galveston County Treasurer): Yes, great since the sitting Galveston County Treasurer said he wanted it abolished
Proposition 13 (Increase mandatory retirement age for judges): No
Proposition 14 (Centennial Parks Conservation fund): Yes, what a horrid name considering it is not for Centennial Parks only)

Looks like the State of Texas has moved a bunch of items out of the general revenue that is overseen by the legislature and is highly transparent. So now there will be less transparency in the spending, and more likely than not, higher spending of taxpayer dollars. These will either be from taxes generated, or 'fee' increases in items designated to certain funds. And people will be shocked that things do not improve as much as they thought they would. I'm sure initially it will see good but over time it will be horrid and now it's a constitutional fund that you would need another vote to get rid of.

In Collin County, every single bond proposal passed. So buckle up as Collin County taxes are going to increase. I hate that this is happening and people will all be upset when their taxes go up, and act cross about it. And some of those will be the very same people who voted for these things. As for animal services, I love love love animals. But cities in Collin County should have set up their own. Plano has their own so as to not overburden the County. And people needed to find more ways to get dogs placed/fostered rather than expanding the facility to hold yet more animals.

Below is my list of Propositions as they read on the ballot along with what I recommended in each of my blogs. At the bottom is a link to each blog.

Proposition 1 - YES

'The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.'

Proposition 2 - NO

'The constitutional amendment authorizing a local exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility'

Proposition 3 - YES

'The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.'

Proposition 4 - YES

'The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption for ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.'

Proposition 5 - NO

'The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutes of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.'

Proposition 6 - NO

'The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.'

Proposition 7 - NO

'The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.'

Proposition 8 - NO

'The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.'

Proposition 9 - NO

'The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.'

Proposition 10 - NO

The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.'

Proposition 11 - YES

'The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities.'

Proposition 12 - YES

'The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.'

Proposition 13 - NO

'The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.'

Proposition 14 - NO

'The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.'

Collin County

Proposition A - NO on more than $261 MILLION

'The issuance of $261,864,179 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping court facilities and juvenile and adult detention facilities, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.'

Proposition B - NO on $5.7 MILLION

'The issuance of $5,700,000 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping the existing Collin County Animal Shelter, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.'

Proposition C - YES on more than $13 MILLION

'The issuance of $13,360,685 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping Collin County Medical Examiner's Office facilities, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.'

Proposition D - NO on $22.45 MILLION

'The issuance of $22,450,000 bonds for acquiring, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping land for park and open space purposes, including participation in joint county-city projects, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.'

Proposition E - NO on $380 MILLION

'The issuance of $380,000,000 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, extending, expanding, and maintaining roads and bridges within the county, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.'