Our editorial endorsements in Tuesday's elections
The right to vote is a cherished hallmark of our democracy. On Tuesday, November 7, election day, we have the chance to exercise this fundamental right. If you did not cast a ballot during early voting, we urge you to participate in democracy and vote Tuesday.
On the ballot in Travis County will be 14 proposed changes to the Texas Constitution and two county bond propositions seeking voter approval for projects totaling more than half a billion dollars. A recap of our Editorial Board endorsements follows below.
Wide-ranging proposals dealing with billions in taxpayer money, the state constitutional amendments address property tax relief for homeowners and businesses, benefits for retired teachers, funds for water projects and infrastructure, research at Texas public universities and more. If approved by state voters, some amendments will create significant state funding pools dedicated to worthy projects; Proposition 14, for example, would create a centennial parks conservation fund that could provide $1 billion to acquire and develop new state parks. Proposition 6 would create a state water fund, providing grants and low interest loans for badly needed water projects.
Following are recaps of the Editorial Board's endorsements, which we first published Oct. 22:
Proposition 1: Limiting regulations on farming
This amendment would allow people and businesses to farm, ranch, produce timber or manage wildlife on land they own or lease. It also allows the state or local governments to regulate these practices but only if there is "clear and convincing evidence” that the public health and safety are in imminent danger or to prevent danger to animals or crop production, or conserve natural resources.
Our recommendation: Vote "No" on Proposition 1
We see no reason to change the current regulatory landscape that balances the interests of farmers as well as their neighbors and the environment. Vote "No."
Proposition 2: Tax breaks for childcare centers
The amendment would allow counties and cities to lower property taxes on childcare centers that are owned or rented and have at least 20% of enrolled children receiving subsidized childcare.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 2
Having a trusted place to care for your children while you work is a necessity in today's economy, particularly in low- to moderate-income households that struggle to make ends meet. But the well-chronicled economics of day care centers are brutal. Easing their strain can result in more childcare centers, potentially lowering costs for parents, allowing them to keep working and contribute to the economy. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 3: Barring an individual wealth tax
This amendment would prohibit an individual wealth or next worth tax — in other words, a tax on the value of one's assets minus liabilities. Texas does not have such a tax.
Our recommendation: Vote "No" on Proposition 3
We don't need an amendment to take a tax that doesn't exist off the table. Keeping the option of a wealth tax open is a necessity in an unpredictable economy, should state lawmakers need to explore such a tax to fund needs in the future. Vote "No."
Proposition 4: Authorizing property tax cuts
Commanding perhaps the most attention in Tuesday's statewide election, this amendment allows the massive property tax cuts approved by the Legislature in July to take effect this year. It does this by allowing the state to spend more than $12 billion in taxpayer money from its general revenue fund to pay for the cuts. More than $7 billion would be sent to local school districts so that they can lower their tax rates, saving homeowners an average of $1,300 a year in property taxes, according to proponents. Renters would get no break.
An estimated $5.6 billion would be used to pay for boosting the homestead exemption, lopping $100,000 off the value of a home for school tax purposes, up from the current $40,000 exemption.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 4
Texas property taxes are among the highest in the country. Who doesn't welcome a break on their skyrocketing tax bills? But while we endorse relief for Texans who have been taking it on the chin with soaring school taxes for too long, we also note that this is merely a temporary bandage on a state school finance system that is broken and ill-suited for Texas' size and needs. Homeowners bear the brunt of that outdated state system, which increasingly asks local districts to pay more for education. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 5: Research at public universities
Proposition 5 would expand state funding for research grants for Texas public universities.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 5
The University of Texas and Texas A&M University are the only nationally recognized research universities in the state and already receive substantial funding for research. This amendment would allow more public universities in Texas to become eligible for research grants, which promote innovation, provide economic opportunities and help attract the brightest minds. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 6: Funding for water projects
This amendment would create a Texas water fund to provide grants and low-interest loans for badly needed water projects across the state. The Texas Water Development Board will administer the fund, which would start with $1 billion that lawmakers set aside from the state's general revenue fund.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 6
Proposition 6 would address urgent needs. Aging water pipes leak billions of gallons of water each year, according to the state, and water and wastewater plants in many communities need repairs or replacement. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 7: Funding for electricity plants
This amendment would create a $5 billion state energy fund to provide loans or grants to companies to build or upgrade electricity generating plants. Supporters say this would improve the reliability of the electrical grid and its aging infrastructure, which has been strained by climate disasters and population growth. Taxpayer money from the state's budget surplus would be used for these projects.
Our recommendation: Vote "No" on Proposition 7
No one can credibly make the case that the state's electric grid and its aging infrastructure are reliable in extreme weather when consumer demand is high. Power losses can be deadly and crippling, as we saw during the catastrophic 2021 winter storm.
But Proposition 7 effectively subsidizes the natural gas industry at the exclusion of solar and wind projects. With this amendment, the state shows its hand that it is willing to help one player only — natural gas-powered electric plants, which can harm the environment and be more expensive to operate than cleaner solutions. If natural gas-powered plants are needed, they should be able to get their own financing to build. Vote "No."
Proposition 8: Expanding high-speed internet
This amendment would allow for creation of a state fund to expand high-speed internet across Texas. A $1.5 billion appropriation from general revenue would launch the fund in fiscal year 2024, according to a Texas Legislative Council analysis. The fund would expire in 2035 unless it is extended by the legislature.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 8
Internet access is vital. It connects us to education, healthcare and jobs. The Editorial Board regularly hears about the hardships of rural and other communities without high-speed internet. Some students travel miles to fast-food restaurant parking lots to get a signal to do their homework. Proposition 8 can help alleviate some of those hardships. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 9: Cost-of-living increase for teachers
Another of the amendments drawing the most attention, Proposition 9 authorizes the first permanent cost-of-living adjustments for retired teachers in nearly two decades, as approved by the Legislature earlier this year. It would bring a 2% increase for those who retired between 2013 and 2020; a 4% increase for those who retired between 2001 and 2013; and a 6% increase for those who retired before 2001. Voter approval is needed to transfer $3.45 billion for this purpose without exceeding the state's spending cap.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 9
As the Editorial Board noted earlier this year, half of retired school workers in the Texas system receive $2,000 per month or less, and 30 percent receive $1,000 or less. That doesn't even cover rent in Austin. Making a difficult situation worse, more than 90% of retired school workers don't get Social Security benefits because most Texas districts don't allow teachers to contribute to the federal program.
Add soaring inflation to the mix and it’s easy to understand why so many retired Texas educators say they struggle to cover groceries, medicine and other essentials. Proposition 9 helps these retirees in a way that is long overdue. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 10: Tax breaks for medical manufacturers
This amendment would allow the state to give property tax exemptions to medical or biomedical equipment manufacturers. Exemptions would also apply to components used in the manufacturing process. In the past, Texas passed tax exemptions on a variety of equipment to bolster industry, including agricultural equipment, pollution control equipment and marine oil drilling equipment.
Our recommendation: Vote "No" on Proposition 10
Proponents of Proposition 10 argue that it will provide incentive for manufacturers to invest in Texas. That's an argument based on conjecture. In reality, in a state without an income tax, getting rid of property taxes on biomedical equipment and manufacturers will hurt local school districts and local government services. Why single out an industry for tax breaks if it puts a heavier burden on other businesses and residents to pay for local schools and services? Vote "No."
Proposition 11: El Paso County parks
Proposition 11 would add El Paso County to the list of counties that allow their conservation reclamation districts to issue bonds to develop or finance parks and recreational facilities.
Our recommendation; Vote "Yes" on Proposition 11
Parks and recreational facilities enhance quality of life and benefit health and well-being. Bonds for these projects could only be authorized if voters of the district approve them, ensuring local control. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 12: Abolishing the Galveston County treasurer's office
This amendment would abolish the Galveston County treasurer's office effective Jan. 1, 2024. In that event, the county commissioners court would assign the treasurer's duties to individuals in other county offices or would contract the work. The amendment would only be implemented if a majority of statewide voters approve and if voters in Galveston County also approve.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 12
Supporters says there simply isn't enough for the county treasurer to do to keep the office open, and that eliminating it would save Galveston County $450,000. Texas voters should give Galveston County voters the opportunity to decide for themselves. Vote "Yes."
Proposition 13: Retirement age for state judges
Proposition 13 would raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 75 to 79.
Our recommendation: Vote "No" on Proposition 13
Maintaining a retirement age of 75 helps ensure opportunities for the next generation to join the bench, cultivating a continually strong judiciary. And retired state judges already have the ability to keep working at any age — as visiting judges. We see no reason to change the status quo. Vote "No."
Proposition 14: $1 billion for state parks
Proposition 14 would take up to $1 billion from the budget surplus to create a Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to buy land to create and improve state parks.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 14
State parks are vital. They improve our quality of life and serve important needs such as preservation of our environment. They're also wildly popular.
But most land in the state is privately owned. Not only is it scarce, but it's also getting more expensive. Proposition 14 can be a game-changer for those who cherish the immense beauty and value of state parks and the safeguards they provide for our natural resources and for preserving cultural and historic sites. Vote "yes."
RELATED: Vote "Yes" on Travis County Propositions A and B
Travis County bond props A and B: Roads, transportation, parks and green spaces.
Proposition A and Proposition B respond to the county's growing population and development.
Proposition A seeks voter approval for $233.06 million for road and safety improvements. Projects include adding, widening and maintaining roadways. Each project, the county says, includes sidewalks and bike lanes or shared-use paths to provide alternative commuting options.
Proposition B seeks voter approval for $276.44 million for parks and green spaces. Most of that amount — $201.4 million — would go toward acquiring land for parks and water conservation mostly along watersheds.
Our recommendation: Vote "Yes" on Propositions A and B
If voters approve both propositions, the owner of a home with property value of $379,200 — the median in Travis County — will see an increase of $46 on their 2024 county tax bill. That's not a small price particularly when combined with tax bites from other local government entities.
But it's a relatively modest amount to pay for worthy investments in a county feeling the strain of surging growth. Proposition A and Proposition B respond to growth with quality of life and safety in mind. And they are spread out geographically across the county, ensuring that all residents reap the benefits. The Editorial Board recommends voters approve Propositions A and B.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: A recap of Statesman endorsements in Tuesday's Texas elections
