V
oters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide whether to shift millions of dollars in funds to Texas roads, grant certain elected officials the ability to live outside of the state capital and increase the amount certain homeowners can save on property taxes.
On the ballot are seven proposed constitutional amendments, which were crafted in joint resolutions by the House of Representatives and Senate during the previous legislative session. The resolutions required at least a two-thirds “yes” vote by the members of each chamber to be presented to voters and cannot be vetoed by the governor.
Proposition 1 would raise the value of the property tax homestead exemption for public schools from $15,000 to $25,000.
According to a report from the House Research Organization, a nonpartisan group that provides information on legislation to the Texas Legislature, supporters of the proposition say the increase would provide much-needed property tax relief to Texans and drive economic growth. However, opponents say they would rather see other tax-cut alternatives that would provide more equitable relief.
Proposition 2 seeks to change a constitutional amendment voters approved in 2011 that allowed the surviving spouses of 100 percent disabled veterans an exemption on property taxes, as long as the surviving spouse had not remarried. That amendment did not apply to surviving spouses of veterans who died before 2011.
Proposition 3 would repeal a constitutional requirement that stipulates statewide elected officials reside in Austin during their terms of office.
Proposition 4 would let legislators enact laws allowing professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles. Proposition 4 and its enabling legislation, HB 975, would allow 50/50 raffles at professional sports games in which 50 percent of ticket sales are awarded in cash prizes and the other half goes to charity.
Proposition 5 would increase the maximum population threshold of a county that is allowed to construct and maintain private roads from 5,000 to 7,500.
Proposition 6 would amend the Bill of Rights to establish the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in Texas, including by the use of traditional methods.
Proposition 7 proposes to dedicate funding from the state’s sales and use tax revenue as well as motor vehicle sales, use and rental tax revenue to the State Highway Fund.
Supporters say the proposition would provide a consistent source for funding transportation projects. Opponents say it could tie the hands of legislators in future years and could cause larger cuts in other state services during tight fiscal times. See Page 22 for more information on Proposition 7.
Polling Locations
Registered voters in Travis and Williamson counties can cast their ballot at any vote center within their respective county during early voting and on Election Day. For more information on elections visit
www.traviscountyelections.org or
www.wilco.org/elections.
Early voting locations
Travis County
Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood Lane, Austin
County Tax Office, 15822 Foothill Farms Loop, Pflugerville
Randalls, 10900-D Research Blvd., Austin
A complete list of Travis County locations may be found at www.traviscountyelections.org.
Williamson County
Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway, Austin
Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive, Round Rock
Randalls, 1400 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park
A complete list of Williamson County locations may be found at www.wilco.org/elections.
Election Day voting locations
Travis County
Anderson High School, 8403 Mesa Drive
Austin Community College Northridge campus, 11928 Stonehollow Drive
Austin Fire Station No. 33, 9409 Bluegrass Drive
Ben Hur Shrine Center, 7811 Rockwood Lane
Brookdale (formerly Emeritus) North Austin, 5310 Duval Road
Burnet Middle School, 8401 Hathaway Drive
Canyon Creek Elementary School, 10210 Ember Glen Drive
Celebration Church, 10401 Anderson Mill Road
Grant AME Worship Center, 1701 Kramer Lane
Hallmark Baptist Church, 9023 Old Lampasas Trail
Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Road
Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane
Hartfield Performing Arts Center, 5800 McNeil Drive
Hill Elementary School, 8601 Tallwood Road
Kathy Caraway Elementary School, 11104 Oak View Drive
Lakewood Homeowners Association, 7317 Lakewood Drive
Lanier High School, 1201 Payton Gin Road
McBee Elementary School, 1001 W. Braker Lane
Murchison Middle School, 3700 N. Hills Drive
National American University, 13801 Burnet Road, Ste. 300
North Village Library, 2505 Steck Ave.
Northwest Elementary School, 14014 Thermal Drive
Parmer Lane Elementary School, 1806 Parmer Lane
Renaissance Retirement Center, 11279 Taylor Draper Lane
River Oaks Elementary School, 12401 Scofield Farms Drive
River Place Elementary School, 6500 Sitio Del Rio Blvd.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive
United Christian Church, 3500 W. Parmer Lane
Walnut Creek Elementary School, 401 W. Braker Lane
Williamson County
Anderson Mill Limited District, 11500 El Salido Parkway
Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road
Clairmont Retirement Community, 12463 Los Indios Trail
Kelly Reeves Athletic Center, 10211 W. Parmer Lane
La Quinta Inn & Suites, 10701 Lakeline Mall Drive
Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 9700 Neenah Ave.
Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road
Rattan Creek Park Community Building, 7617 Elkhorn Mountain Trail
oters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to decide whether to shift millions of dollars in funds to Texas roads, grant certain elected officials the ability to live outside of the state capital and increase the amount certain homeowners can save on property taxes.
On the ballot are seven proposed constitutional amendments, which were crafted in joint resolutions by the House of Representatives and Senate during the previous legislative session. The resolutions required at least a two-thirds “yes” vote by the members of each chamber to be presented to voters and cannot be vetoed by the governor.
Proposition 1 would raise the value of the property tax homestead exemption for public schools from $15,000 to $25,000.
According to a report from the House Research Organization, a nonpartisan group that provides information on legislation to the Texas Legislature, supporters of the proposition say the increase would provide much-needed property tax relief to Texans and drive economic growth. However, opponents say they would rather see other tax-cut alternatives that would provide more equitable relief.
