Constitutional amendment votes will have heavy impact

AUSTIN — Texans will head to the polls Monday when early voting opens on nine constitutional amendments ranging from a long-term water plan for the drought-stricken state to property tax exemptions for veterans.

The proposed amendment receiving the most attention from state leaders is Proposition 6, which, if approved by a majority of voters, would authorize a transfer of $2 billion from the state's rainy day fund to an account that will divvy out low-interest loans for high-priority water infrastructure developments around the state.

However, officials say other amendments on the Nov. 5 ballot also could have a major impact in Texas, addressing veteran benefits, home mortgages, and municipal and judicial appointments.

Texas lawmakers have sent 653 constitutional amendments to voters since 1876, the Texas Legislative Council says. Of those 653, 474 were approved and 179 were rejected.

This election will mark the first statewide vote in which Texas' controversial voter identification law, which requires individuals to provide one of seven types of government-issued identification before casting a vote and is being challenged by the Justice Department, is in effect.

Proposition 1 would authorize 100 percent property tax exemptions for spouses of service members who are killed in action. The spouse must remain unmarried and the amount of the exemption is established with the first home where the spouse receives the exemption.

Proposition 4 would provide a property tax exemption for homes donated by charity organizations to disabled veterans. The proposal would grant a tax exemption relative to the veteran's level of disability, ending the requirement that qualifying residents be 100 percent disabled. For example, a veteran who is 70 percent disabled would receive a 70 percent property tax exemption on the donated home.

Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, who chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs and Military Installations committee, authored or sponsored each proposal.

“There is no way we can fully repay these families for what they have given to the United States,” she recently wrote in an op-ed. “But giving them a break on taxes on their homestead hopefully will give them one less burden as they cope with their loss.”

Early voting starts Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1 and Election Day is Nov. 5. Constitutional amendments in Texas require 2/3 support from the state House and Senate and then approval from a majority of voters.

More Information Sample Ballot for Nov. 5 constitutinal amendment election

Proposition 5 would authorize individuals 62 and over to purchase a new a home using a reverse mortgage by accessing equity on their current homes to finance the purchase of the new home. The change would allow the individuals to consolidate the process into one streamlined transaction rather than closing on their current home prior to purchasing the new one.

Texas currently is the only state that doesn't allow seniors to utilize this type of reverse mortgage but that would change if a majority of voters approve the proposal.

“This method of finance allows homeowners to save on closing costs and retain a portion of equity from the sale of their current homes to apply toward everyday living expenses, thus providing flexibility in the purchase of a new home,” said Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, who chairs the Senate Business and Commerce committee.

Proposition 7 would allow home rule cities to create a procedure, such as an appointment process, to fill a vacancy on its governing body if there is less than 12 months left in the vacant seat's term, rather than holding a special election.

Proponents say it is an efficiency measure that will cut special election and campaign costs when there is an election scheduled within the next year.

Proposition 9 would expand the sanctioning authority of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct against judges or justices. Currently, the commission can issue a public censure or recommend a judge's removal or retirement, but if approved, the commission could issue a public admonition, reprimand or warning and require additional training.

Three of the amendments would have a more limited impact on specific industries or regions.

Proposition 3 would extend the number of days aircraft parts are exempt from ad valorem tax, which supporters say would benefit the aerospace industry in the state.

Proposition 2 would eliminate the constitutional requirement for a State Medical Education Board and State Medical Education Fund, neither of which are operational.

Proposition 8 would allow the creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County.

Constitutional amendment elections, which are held on off-years for statewide, legislative and congressional elections, traditionally have a very low turnout, even in years with relatively high-profile proposals, said Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.

In the last constitutional election in 2011, less than 5 percent of those registered casted a vote, Henson said, which can make predicting the outcomes very difficult.