All nine constitutional amendments on the Texas ballot Tuesday easily passed, including the heavily publicized Proposition 6, creating a state water fund drawing from the Rainy Day fund.$2 billion in surplus tax money is now available to be used as a down payment on loans for water projects planned in the state's official water plan. The money will be spent at the discretion of a three-member board appointed by members of Governor Rick Perry's administration.
The question now is what political struggles will arise over the rulemaking process that governs the board overseeing this water fund and how the funds are used, reports KUT Austin. The Texas Water Development Board has the next few years to decide how projects are approved.
Proposition 6 passed with 73% of the vote.
The Texas Tribune has an interactive map breaking down the vote in each Texas county overlaid with a drought severity map, where you can compare how the vote fared between drought-stricken and wetter regions.
Property Tax Exemptions for Surviving Veterans Spouses
Two amendments passed with an overwhelming majority of the vote allowing for relief for property taxes paid by spouses of veterans who are killed or disabled.
Proposition 1 will provide property tax relief to surviving spouses of armed service members killed in action. Proposition 4 will allow for property tax relief on donated homes for disabled veterans.
Proposition 1 passed with 87% of the vote, the largest margin of any of the nine propositions; Proposition 4 passed with 85% of the vote.
Other Amendments
Proposition 2, allowing the state to disestablish a State Medical Education Board and education fund which have been vacant for over 25 years, passed with 85% of the vote.
Proposition 3, allowing local governments to let aircraft parts reside under their jurisdiction for longer periods of time without being taxed, passed with 58% of the vote.
Proposition 5, authorizing reverse mortgages, passed with 63% of the vote, the slimmest margin of all of the propositions.
Proposition 7, allowing cities to fill government vacancies for under a year by appointment rather than special election, passed with 74% of the vote.
Proposition 8, equalizing the maximum tax rate for the Hidalgo County hospital district with the rest of the state, passed with 72% of the vote.
Proposition 9, expanding the sanctions available to the State Commission on Judician Conduct, passed with 85% of the vote.
The Texas Tribune mapped a breakdown of results for all nine propositions, and KUT Austin has an overview of the amendments and what they mean.
