In last week’s article, I began to outline the propositions on the November 8 ballot. This week I will continue with the outline. This November, Texans across the state will have the opportunity to support or oppose the constitutional amendments passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature. For those that may not know, Constitutional amendments are changes to the Texas Constitution which may be proposed by the legislature in the form of a joint resolution. The joint resolution must pass both the Texas House and the Texas Senate by a two-thirds vote. Once the joint resolution passes the legislature, it must be approved by a majority of voters across the state to become a part of our state constitution.
This year’s November constitutional ballot election includes ten new propositions. Below is a breakdown of three of those propositions as provided by the Texas Secretary of State:
Senate Joint Resolution (SJR 26) would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow cities and counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities and counties without having to assess an ad valorem tax and set aside a specified amount of funds for the payment of costs under the interlocal contract. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to allow cities or counties to enter into interlocal contracts with other cities or counties without the imposition of a tax or the provision of a sinking fund.”
House Joint Resolution (HJR 109) would amend the constitution to increase the amount of principal that is available for withdrawal from the permanent school fund each year and would also clarify certain references to that fund in the constitution. Increased access to the principal of the state public education trust fund would be based upon HJR 109 granting the authority to consider alternative market calculations when determining the amount of principal that is available for distribution to the available school fund. HJR 109 would also provide authority to distribute to the available school fund annual revenue from school fund land or other properties up to $300 million per year. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment clarifying references to the permanent school fund, allowing the General Land Office to distribute revenue from permanent school fund land or other properties to the available school fund to provide additional funding for public education, and providing for an increase in the market value of the permanent school fund for the purpose of allowing increased distributions from the available school fund.”
SJR 28 would amend the constitution by adding El Paso County to the list of counties authorized to create conservation and reclamation districts to develop parks and recreational facilities financed by taxes. The proposed amendment would appear on the ballot as follows: “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 recreational facilities.”
In next week’s article, I will outline the final three proposed constitutional amendments on this November’s ballot. If you have questions regarding any of the proposed constitutional amendments mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
