Notably, the election integrity legislation passed this year weakened the penalties for illegally voting, from a felony to a misdemeanor. For example, in the last Republican primary ballot election, we had a proposition banning sex transition medical practices on children. Austinites get to vote on weed and no-knock warrants this election. by Mara Mndez Perhaps the most controversial legislation that was deliberated over the past year by the state legislature was legislation relating to election integrity, which took varying forms before ultimately being passed in the second-called special legislative session. Aug. 15, 2022, The Texas Tribunes coverage of elections seeks to empower informed participation in our democracy. This honor is a testament to the unmatched business climate and highly skilled and diverse workforce we have cultivated here in the Lone Star State.. With the two constitutional amendments up for a vote, I think that probably bodes well for their fate because taxes are on everyone's minds at the moment, said James Quintero, policy director at the conservative organization Texas Public Policy Foundation. Ahead of the 2022 Texas midterms, The Texas Tribune is answering reader questions about the candidates running for office, the offices themselves and the issues Texans are voting on this election cycle. Texas should protect the integrity of our elections by verifying that registered voters are American citizens, restoring felony penalties and enacting civil penalties for vote fraud, and fighting any federal takeover of state elections. Full Story, by Mara Mndez Full Story, by Eleanor Klibanoff SECTION 2. 6.) Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines |, KVIA-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News The following temporary provision is added to the Texas Constitution: TEMPORARY PROVISION. Tell us what questions you have, and what this election cycle means to you. Texans should not lose their jobs, nor should students be penalized, for declining a COVID-19 vaccine. Sept. 8, 2022, The deadline to register to vote was Oct. 11. Under current law, the taxes you pay towards public schools freeze the year you turn 65 or you become disabled. k5 aI&I}/UwE{i 7,*y1SqR4FkECk2/9FCMpQ&) XHY>^%fP+\k0GC&>;] W8iRszs[:S#C:',Y1x%FGDaBm* {+}: d;BSoGv~JZzv-z{8]s The Republican Party of Texas said its 10 Primary ballot propositions are opinion polls, not policy referendums. Proposition 3: religious services Nov. 8, 2022, Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. As Republican primary voters head to the polls, there aren't just candidates on the ballotthere are also 10 ballot propositions. The issue has been on the mind of many across Texas after recent tax appraisals gave many homeowners sticker shock.. Texas Proposition 1 explained The first statewide proposal concerns property taxes paid by the elderly and people with disabilities. The primary runoff election is May 24 and, on May 7, voters will weigh in on local elections, such as city council seats, school board bonds and city propositions, along with two amendments to the . In this election, you will notice two state propositions on the ballot that could impact homeowners if passed. Bail in Texas should be based only on a persons danger to society and risk of flight, not that persons ability to pay. I will devote my energies as your State Representative to securing our rights from an oppressive federal government. Section 1-b, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Subsection (d-2) to read as follows: (d-2) Notwithstanding Subsections (d) and (d-1) of this section, the legislature by general law may provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation provided by Subsection (d) of this section and applicable to a residence homestead for a tax year to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate, as defined by general law, or a successor rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the homestead. 2023 FOX Television Stations, ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING: Man shot in apparent accidental shooting in Houston, police investigating, CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Houston homeowner speaks out after being victim of terrifying attempted carjacking, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, G.O.A.T. Texans should not lose their jobs, nor should students be penalized, for declining a COVID-19 vaccine. The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature should end the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats.. 2022 Ballot Propositions: 1.) Texas should ban chemical castration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and genital mutilation surgery on all minor children for sex transition purposes. This seems like a no-brainer but Speaker Phelan and Lt. Gov. 5.) Quintero said this constitutional amendment is designed to cure that discrepancy. But even across every major metro in Texas where we can track valuations, were seeing them increase quite rapidly.. Julie Moreno has worked in local television news for more than 20 years. Texans should not lose their jobs, nor should students be penalized, for declining a COVID-19 vaccine. This is what you'll see under proposition 2 on your ballot: "The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school. Texas should enact a State Constitutional Amendment to defend the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, from fertilization until natural death. By topic The following sortable table shows the topic breakdown for the 179 measures that were referred to Texas ballots between 1995 and 2019: Turnout Over the past year or so, more parents have begun speaking up to their local school boards and public school superintendents with concerns over the types of materials being used and taught to their children. In November, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for two cases that were brought against the implementation of the law. In the second-called special legislative session earlier this year, the legislature passed legislation that provided relief, but only for specific classes of people like disabled veterans and their spouses. Texas should ban chemical castration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and genital mutilation surgery on all minor children for sex transition purposes. When you vote YES or NO, you are telling us what you think should happen, the party posted on its website. Texas Proposition 6 would allow for the Texas legislature to increase bonds allocated to the state's Cancer Prevention and Research Institute from $3 billion to $6 billion. In light of the federal governments refusal to defend the southern border, Texas should immediately deploy the National Guard, Texas Military Forces, and necessary state law enforcement to seal the border, enforce immigration laws, and deport illegal aliens. Section 1-b(c), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: (c) The amount of $40,000 [$25,000] of the market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. Senate Joint Resolution 27 Proposition 5: judicial conduct limitation In light of the federal governments refusal to defend the southern border, Texas should immediately deploy the National Guard, Texas Military Forces, and necessary state law enforcement to seal the border, enforce immigration laws, and deport illegal aliens. Here are answers to five common questions about the constitutional amendments and what they would actually do. Box 720, McDade, Texas 78650. This will determine whether surviving spouses of disabled people can receive limitations on the amount of property taxes they pay on their homesteads, provided they were age 55 or older when their partner died. Texas should protect the integrity of our elections by verifying that registered voters are American citizens, restoring felony penalties and enacting civil penalties for vote fraud, and fighting any federal takeover of state elections. If passed, an accompanying bill would further define the metals. Texas Proposition 5 would dedicate all of the tax revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods only to parks, wildlife, and historical agencies. Oct. 19, 2022, Polling shows that a majority of voters in Texas oppose the states near-total ban on abortion, but they ranked the topic ninth on a list of most important issues facing the country. Country music star and Conroe-native, Parker McCollum caught up with our Sally Mac after he was named the headliner for 2023's Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Oct. 10, 2022, The Texas Tribune spoke to Texans across the political spectrum and asked them to make their case for why voting matters this year. Attorney General Ken Paxtons office is investigating a Laredo City Council race. Full Story, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. House Joint Resolution 99 Texas should reject restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms. xZn8}7 }h bF$E]v0U*iQSY{+;=}K#_"$YFd9>ls|t~s|`"~nVGD10d7kx}O~~_H)N5Z^7e&x^Is|.EQoQ@co!m^n~>>){p4vf[_.-D[X faPN,~XHkuZ>rA # L\FiHZT14Et H4H`Pti{"A_nW`}L Here is a breakdown of each of them, including ballot language and what they mean. She writes on a wide variety of topics from breaking news to trending stories and manages KSATs daily digital content strategy. After managing campaigns for conservative legislators across the state, serving as Chief of Staff for multiple conservative state legislators, and serving as Legislative Director for the largest public policy think tank in Texas, Jeramy moved outside of the Austin bubble to focus on bringing transparency to the legislative process. 4.) The issue of vaccine mandates was added to the third-called special legislative session agenda, but it was not until day 22 of the already ongoing session that Abbott added the consideration of a prohibition on employer vaccine mandates to the agenda specifically. Here are the 10 Primary ballot propositions: Keep in mind that this is an opinion poll of Republican voters and not a policy referendum. But, Lavine added, he believes it's fair to allow people with disabilities and the elderly to have access to the lower tax rates. So, without further ado, please enjoy the Texas Freedom Caucus's 2022 Guide to Republican Party of Texas Primary Ballot Propositions. In an election year, its become a political issue as well. This prompted Abbott to add improvements to the purported ban onto both the first and second-called special legislative session agendas. Austin Music Experience | All Austin musicians and artists | KUTX HD2, Texas Music Experience | Listen anytime at tmx.fm | KUTX HD3, The Texas Newsroom | One of the issues that the legislature attempted to address in the 87th regular legislative session was that of banning Critical Race Theory. The states gubernatorial candidates were quick to trade jabs about promises to provide property tax relief. What is it asking? This year there werent any ballot propositions in the Democratic primary. All propositions require a simple majority vote to pass and would amend the . In the 87th regular legislative session, the legislature did very little to provide relief to everyday Texas property taxpayers. Ahead of the 2022 Texas midterms, The Texas Tribune is answering reader questions about the candidates running for office, the offices themselves and the issues Texans are voting on this election cycle. 6/3Z lmHd*#NlmtZ-L17y,wppgbkvsBvd4`t8I.!]rO{O3O- H )% (h1f6~KQT+G9XG\Bs/%yHK\@1 stream Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.. The Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect on September 1. Sergio Martnez-Beltrn is the Texas Capitol Reporter for The Texas Newsroom. 5F?^}`> What is it asking? Proposition 8: homestead tax limitation for surviving spouses of armed service members 6.) endobj Copyright 2023 Katy Area Economic Development Council. Texas should protect the integrity of our elections by verifying that registered voters are American citizens, restoring felony penalties and enacting civil penalties for vote fraud, and fighting any federal takeover of state elections.. Voters will find eight propositions to amend the state constitution on the Nov. 2 ballot. Proposition 2 will determine whether counties can authorize bonds or notes to finance development in blighted or underserved areas. <>/Metadata 83 0 R/ViewerPreferences 84 0 R>> Since then, State Rep. Steve Toth (RThe Woodlands) has accused Abbott of not supporting a ban on vaccine mandates. The legislature by general law may define residence homestead for purposes of this section. As Texas home values skyrocket, state officials wrestle with how to slow property tax increases, Congress to probe election misinformation in Texas. }Q#^]frf CS9@Si3p`ph4g-n1]}cD5Z!* Texas should not restrict or prohibit prayer in public schools. All of this, despite the fact that Texans all across the state are having to choose between their own livelihoods and receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, mandated by employers as they await clarity between federal government mandates stuck in judicial limbo even though other state legislatures are addressing the issue head-on. Texas Proposition 7 would increase the money allocated to the state school fund from $300 million a year to $600 million year. endobj The session was due to reach its forced conclusion just 8 days later. Ultimately, this would lower a homeowners annual property tax bill because it would increase the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000. Texas continues to shine as the beacon of economic prosperity in America, and I am proud to accept Site Selections Governors Cup for a record-shattering tenth straight year. Why does Texas have so many elections, and why do few people vote in them? By: Jishnu Nair - Community Impact. Full Story, by Mara Mndez, Marissa Greene, Alex Nguyen and Emma Williams These homeowners would essentially receive a reduction in school district property taxes. Though the legislation was considered in the committee process, none made it through the entirety of the legislative process and the special session concluded without the legislature addressing the issue. February 16, 2022 | Austin, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a proclamation setting Saturday, May 7, 2022 as the special election day for two proposed constitutional amendments in Texas. 7.) The legislature by general law may base the amount of and condition eligibility for the additional exemption authorized by this subsection for disabled persons and for persons 65 years of age or older on economic need. Updated: 7:55 PM CDT November 2, 2021. Contests & Promotions, 2023, NPG of Texas, L.P. El Paso, TX USA, Organ Mountain band teacher accused of criminal sexual contact of a minor. If passed, an accompanying bill would govern the rules for how the fund would be allocated. The proposals refer to issues that have taken center stage among state Republicans, such as border security, vaccine mandates, critical race theory and gender-affirming health care for transgender children. Texans affirm that our freedoms come from God and that the government should have no control over the conscience of individuals.. This Nov. 2 election, Texans have the chance to vote on eight amendments to the state constitution. The legislature by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the principal school district providing general elementary and secondary public education throughout its territory. Texas should ban chemical castration, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and genital mutilation surgery on all minor children for sex transition purposes.. 1 0 obj When the issue of vaccine mandates was being deliberated in the third-called special legislative session, legislation seeking to address the employer vaccine mandate prohibition included provisions relating to moral and religious objections for reasons of conscience. %PDF-1.7 View the proclamation. Voters will find eight propositions to amend the state constitution on the Nov. 2 ballot. Oct. 22, 2022, Texans will vote on three seats for the states highest criminal court in November. Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student. Here are your rights at the polls. Senate Joint Resolution 19 Updated: Full Story, by Mara Mndez and Yuriko Schumacher Updated: At the outset of the 87th regular legislative session in January, Republican State Rep. Bryan Slaton (Royse City) offered amendments to the proposed House Rules of Procedure that would have required that standing House Committees be led by the majority political party. 3 0 obj Lavine also added, from Every Texans perspective, this proposal was crafted in an equitable way. The outcome of these . In municipal and general elections, propositions can be used to pass local bonds and decide proposed state constitutional amendments, but that is not the case on the primary ballots. In addition to this exemption, the legislature by general law may exempt an amount not to exceed $10,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is disabled as defined in Subsection (b) of this section and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student. The Democratic Party of Texas had propositions on its 2020 primary, but it does not have propositions on this years ballot. Early voting starts Monday. It would require 10 years of service as a practicing lawyer or a combined 10 years of service in legal practice and as a judge of a state or county court. She came to KSAT as a news producer in 2000. Though currently unclear, it is possible that either case, if ruled on, could overturn cases like Roe v. Wade. The second state proposition on the ballot, if passed, would lower school district property taxes by instead increasing the homestead exemption. (c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2023. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.". SECTION 2. This issue turned out to be the third-ranked Legislative Priority chosen at the state convention. Three seats are on the ballot this year. Gov. Nobody could be expected to understand what it would do from just sitting and reading it, Dick Lavine, a senior fiscal analyst at the left-leaning think tank Every Texan, said. Full Story, by Marissa Greene Sept. 15, 2022, For example, members of the Railroad Commission dont deal with railroads. Chairmen have immense authority over whether legislation referred to their committee is given a public hearing or set for a vote by the committee itself which has proven to be problematic for Republican activists hoping to ensure their legislative agendas make it through the entirety of the legislative process. Abbott, who has generally been reluctant to comment on the issue, announced in a radio interview last week that he was waiting on the courts to end vaccine mandates. A homestead exemption reduces the taxable value of your home. Hopefully that would produce some savings that the average person can use to offset the rising level of cost of living increase, Quintero said. Of State, 1/26/22. 9.) Property taxes have become a hot-button issue across Texas, with recent tax appraisals giving homeowners sticker shock. Each party can put propositions on the primary ballot, and has done so often in the past. Become one. Get more election news on KSATs Vote 2022 page. Oct. 31, 2022, Sensitive touch screens arent always user friendly and make it easy for voters to accidentally select the wrong candidate. $176 in school district property tax savings (per the Texas Tribune). Proposition 8 allows voters to decide whether surviving spouses of armed service members will be exempted from all or part of property taxes on homesteads, provided they were age 55 or older when their partner died. Currently, the legislature can allocate the money wherever and however they deem fit. The second state proposition on the ballot, if passed, would lower school district property taxes by instead increasing the homestead exemption. L"VjK}`8y{mc>SZ2%;wP~?:C q0AP. So, for example, with the current exemption, a homeowner with a property valued at $500,000 would be paying taxes on $475,000. Heres what the many officials elected statewide do with the power voters give them. Instead of a simple majority vote of more than 50% in Congress, it would require a constitutional amendment to allow a state income tax. Texas schools should teach students basic knowledge and American exceptionalism and reject Critical Race Theory and other curricula that promote Marxist doctrine and encourage division based on creed, race, or economic status. (a) This temporary provision applies to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2021, increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes. Sami Sparber. Get the latest politics news from North Texas and beyond. The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature should end the practice of awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats. December 6, 2021. There are multiple parking options available for those looking to attend the Houston Rodeo. If Proposition 2 passes, that hypothetical homeowner would instead pay taxes based on a $460,000 valuation. This proposition would update requirements to serve on the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Appeals Court or as a district judge. In addition to candidates for elected office, Republican voters will get a chance to vote on 10 ballot propositions. Notably, this legislation does not in fact prevent abortion altogether on its own and still makes it legal to obtain an abortion up to and until the point of a heartbeat detection. Voters in Texas can decide on several local ballot initiatives plus two constitutional amendments on May 7 before heading back to the polls on May 24 for primary runoff elections. Heres how to vote in Texas Nov. 8 midterm elections, What you can expect from our elections coverage. In Texas, a total of 280 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2022. Comptroller, railroad commissioner, lieutenant governor: What do Texas state officials actually do? ad paid by Tom Glass Campaign. Republican elected officials have held every statewide office and a majority in the Texas Legislature for almost two decades, and yet despite this reality and promises to the contrary, the property tax burden on Texans has exponentially increased. 2:20 PM on Feb 23, 2022 CST Updated at 10:50 AM on Mar 2, 2022 CST. Previously, she interned at the Wall Street Journal, Texas Tribune, NBC News in Washington and the Houston Chronicles Austin bureau. Here are the 10 propositions on the 2022 Republican Primary Election ballot: In light of the federal government's refusal to defend the southern border, Texas should immediately deploy the . For more information on polling locations and sample ballots, go tohttps://www.harrisvotes.com/. Sami Sparber covers politics in Austin for The Dallas Morning News. :yi) 77U0XZLeg}ii She is a spring 2021 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and hails from the Chicago suburbs. SONGS: Singer, songwriter makes new song inspired by FOX 26 news report about goats at Target, Man charged in shooting death of Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso ordered held without bond, Mother who drowned her 2 children, hid bodies under a neighbor's home given 40-year prison sentence, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, Mother arrested after 4-year-old found outside alone, 1-year-old found laying in soiled linen, 6-YEAR-OLD SHOT IN HARRIS COUNTY: Suspect in custody after apparent fight between middle school girls after class, Here's how to get tickets, passes for Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 2023, Full Interview with Rodeo Headliner, Parker McCollum. 1.) Vote Explanation A "yes" vote supports increasing the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000. Austin residents can vote on propositions covering camping bans for unhoused people, rearranging the Austin City Council structure and more in a special election May 1. The second statewide proposition would raise the homestead exemption for school property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000. Texans should not lose their job nor students be penalized for declining a COVID-19 vaccine.. Katy area, Fort Bend County see notable increase in Asian population, data shows, Katy City Council approves $34.5 million budget, maintains same property tax rate. Proposition A asks voters whether they want to decriminalize marijuana (officially) and to ban police use of "no-knock" warrants. A general law enacted under this subsection may take into account the difference between the tier one maintenance and operations rate for the 2018 tax year and the maximum compressed rate for the 2019 tax year applicable to a residence homestead and any reductions in subsequent tax years before the tax year in which the general law takes effect in the maximum compressed rate applicable to a residence homestead. This text was pasted from texasgop.org, the Republican Party of Texas. Full Story, by Emma Williams We hope to achieve that in five ways. Full Story, by Emma Williams Pol. Gonzales defended his support for the same-sex marriage bill last year, telling The Texas Tribune that it "wasn't a tough vote" and that Republicans need to accept same-sex marriage if the . They are a chance for the party to gauge opinions of its voters on a variety of issues. Over the weekend, the Texas State Republican Executive Committee convened for one of their quarterly meetings and, among other items of business, approved 10 ballot propositions which will appear on the Republican primary election ballot for the March 1, 2022 primary. You are not voting to make a law but merely saying YES you agree or NO you do not agree with the statement. Texas should enact a State Constitutional Amendment to defend the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, from fertilization until natural death.. These ballot propositions will be listed on the ballot alongside candidates for elected office ranging from Texas' U.S. Congressional seats to statewide office, as well as the state Senate and State House of Representatives, State Board of Education, and county elected positions. Proposition 6 asks voters to decide whether residents of facilities such as nursing homes have the right to determine an essential caregiver who can visit without restrictions. % But this isnt clear cut for voters. Copyright 2022 by KSAT - All rights reserved. Every Texas voter heading to the polls this election will see two statewide proposals related to property taxes on their ballots. The Texas Newsroom has been digging into the two proposals, and has broken down each one of them. Texas Proposition 3 would authorize temporary property tax exemption for declared disaster areas by the governor.