CHERYL E . JOHNSON , PCC Galveston County Tax Assessor Collector
& Voter Registrar
TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Eight Constitutional Amendments will be considered by voters this November . Voter turnout is typically pathetic in these elections and although only three may impact your wallet , two will create safeguards in the event of future pandemics , two will impact judicial candidates . The eighth pertains to raffles which may or may not be important to you .
The Texas Constitution is a limiting document and limiting government is a significant issue for all Americans since COVID . So … please read , research and VOTE !
Prop 1 … authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women ’ s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues . A YES vote will allow certain professional sports team charitable organizations to conduct raffles at rodeo venues .
Prop 2 … authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive , underdeveloped , or blighted areas in the county . A YES vote would authorize a county to issue bonds to fund infrastructure and transportation projects in certain areas and prohibit counties that issue bonds for such from pledging more than 65 % of the cost with property taxes .
Prop 3 … prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations . A YES vote would prohibit all Texas governments from enacting a law , rule , order or proclamation that limits religious services or organizations , even during a pandemic .
Prop 4 … changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court , a judge of the court of criminal appeals , a justice of a court of appeals , and a district judge . A YES vote would change the eligibility requirements for the listed judicial positions . All would be required to be residents of Texas and citizens of the United States .
Candidates for the supreme court , court of criminal appeals or court of appeals would be required to have 10 years of experience in Texas as a practicing lawyer or judge of a state or county court . Candidates for district court would need 8 years of the same experience . Lawyers whose law license is revoked or suspended during the experience requirement period would be disqualified . This amendment would apply to any elected or appointed candidate for a term beginning after January 1 , 2025 .
Prop 5 … providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office . A YES vote authorizes the named commission to accept and investigate complaints and reports against candidates running for judicial office as well as seated judges .
Prop 6 … establishes a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for inperson visitation . A YES vote would allow residents of nursing facilities , assisted living facilities , or state-supported living centers to designate an essential caregiver who may not be prohibited from visiting the resident , even during a pandemic .
Prop 7 … allows the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse ’ s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person ’ s death . A YES vote would extend tax ceilings for surviving spouses of disabled individuals as long as the spouse is over 55 and resides at the home .
Prop 8 … authorizes the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty . A YES vote would authorize a 100 % exemption from property taxes for a surviving spouse of a member of the armed services killed or fatally injured in the line of duty .
34 MOMENTUM