Texas voters to decide on 17 amendments starting Monday

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- Starting Monday, Texans can head to the polls to vote on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution — decisions that could reshape tax policy, education funding, infrastructure investment, and more.

Since Texas adopted its current constitution in 1876, it has been amended 530 times. Historically, three-fourths of proposed amendments have been approved by voters.

Ten of the 17 amendments focus on tax policy. While Texas doesn’t currently have a capital gains tax, securities tax, or inheritance tax, several propositions aim to ban these taxes permanently, requiring future constitutional amendments to change course.

One far-reaching tax proposal is Proposition 13, which would raise the school district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, potentially lowering property taxes for millions of Texans.

Other key propositions include Proposition 1, which would create a new investment fund for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) — a move aimed at expanding access to technical training as demand for skilled workers surges.

Proposition 14 establishes the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, allocating $3 billion for research into Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related diseases.

Proposition 4 directs up to $1 billion/year in sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund for infrastructure improvements.