Latest news with #HJR7
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
17 possible amendments to the Texas Constitution will be on the ballot this November. Here's the list.
The Brief Texans will vote on several Consitutional amendments this November. Amendments include changes to property taxes, parental rights and bail. All items will be on the ballot on November 4. Texas voters will decide on the fate of 17 proposed amendments to the US Constitution this November. Each of the proposed amendments was passed by at least two-thirds of the Texas House and Senate. Here's the list of the amendments that will be on the ballot for all Texans on Nov. 4. SJR 59 would create two new funds designed to support the Texas State Technical College System: the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund. The funds would be designed to provide consistent funding for acquiring land, construction for buildings, repairs, library books and acquiring capital equipment for TSTC campuses. SJR 18 would prevent the Texas state legislature from imposing a tax on unrealized capital gains of individuals, families, estates or trusts. SJR 5 would lay out scenarios for suspects charged with murder, capital murder or certain aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, sexual assault, indecency with a child and human trafficking to be denied bail. Judges that grant bail to those suspects must prepare a written order explaining the justification. HJR 7 would allocate the first $1 billion of sales tax revenue for each fiscal year to the state water fund, after collections exceed $46.5 billion. HJR 99 would exempt animal feed held by an owner for retail from tangible personal property taxes. HJR 4 would prohibit an occupation tax on registered securities market operators or a tax on securities transactions. HJR 133 would allow the legislature to create a homestead tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected illness. HJR 2 would prohibit state taxes on certain financial assets, transactions or occupations. HJR 1 would allow the legislature to exempt up to $125,000 of the market value of income-producing personal property from property taxes. SJR 84 would allow for a temporary tax exemption for improvements made to homes that were destroyed in a fire. SJR 85 would increase the homestead property tax exemption for school district taxes from $10,000 to $60,000 for people who are disabled or 65 years old or older. SJR 27 would increase the number of governor appointees to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct from five members to seven members. There are 13 members on the commission. It also adds and changes other rules and restrictions for members of the council and the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations. SJR 2 would increase the homestead property tax exemption for school district taxes from $100,000 to $140,000. SJR 3 would establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund. SJR 34 would add language to the Texas Constitution about parental rights. The amended article says the people of Texas affirm that "a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent's child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent's child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child's upbringing." SJR 37 would add noncitizens to the list of people who are prohibited from voting in the state. HJR 34 would allow the legislature to exempt increases in a property's value if the property is located in a county along the Mexican border and that the added value comes as a result of the construction or installation of border security infrastructure. What they're saying "Texas lawmakers have proposed 17 amendments to the state constitution, and now Texans will have the opportunity to weigh in on each amendment," said Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson. "This is an opportunity to make your voice heard about the governing document of our state." The Source Information in this article comes from the Texas Legislature and Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
Miami Herald
19-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Greg Abbott Launches $20 Billion Texas Water Plan
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed two major bills into law on June 18, launching a landmark $20 billion investment aimed at tackling Texas' growing water shortages. Final funding approval for part of the plan will require voter consent in a November statewide ballot. Newsweek contacted Abbott for comment on Thursday via email outside regular office hours. Texas faces mounting water challenges driven by rapid population growth, frequent droughts and rising demands from agriculture and industry. Leaking infrastructure and dwindling supplies threaten quality of life and economic growth. Abbott's plan aims to secure the state's water future while addressing ongoing environmental concerns. Texas suffered from severe drought in the summer of 2023, with only 11 percent of the Lone Star State drought free, according to the U.S. Drought Map, though more rainfall improved the situation in 2024. In September 2024, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the state loses "about a farm a week" because of water shortages. Details of the Water Investment The bills signed by Abbott-Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7)-target repairing aging water systems and investing in new supply sources. Half of the $20 billion allocation is earmarked for infrastructure upgrades and the other half will support projects such as pipelines and desalination. Voter Approval and Immediate Funding The plan requires voter approval of HJR 7 in November to dedicate $1 billion a year from state sales tax revenue, beginning in 2027. However, the $2.5 billion allocation for the Texas Water Fund is secured regardless of the November ballot result. The Texas Water Development Board will oversee project selection and funding distribution as the state shifts to a coordinated, regional strategy for water management. Texas Water Context Water scarcity is a recurring crisis in Texas. Years of drought, persistent population increases and intensified industrial use have stretched existing systems, forcing some cities to consider restricting development. The state also faces a backlog of expensive infrastructure repairs, with Houston alone reporting a $4.93 billion need because of leaking pipes according to city officials. Texas Governor Greg Abbott: "We lose about 88 billion gallons of water a year because of broken, busted, and aged pipes." State Senator Charles Perry: The new law represents "a cultural shift from the way we do water in Texas" and moved the focus to coordinated regional strategies. Texas voters will decide on final funding through a constitutional amendment in November. If passed, the initiative will set aside $1 billion annually for water projects, beginning in 2027, with immediate funds supporting urgent infrastructure needs across the state. Related Articles Texas Defunds Border WallGreg Abbott To Sign Texas Property Tax Bill: What To KnowTexas' Largest Newspaper Trashes Greg Abbott Protest Move: 'Expect Better'Texas to Deploy Thousands of National Guard Troops for Anti-Trump Protests 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Greg Abbott Launches $20 Billion Texas Water Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed two major bills into law on June 18, launching a landmark $20 billion investment aimed at tackling Texas' growing water shortages. Final funding approval for part of the plan will require voter consent in a November statewide ballot. Newsweek contacted Abbott for comment on Thursday via email outside regular office hours. Why It Matters Texas faces mounting water challenges driven by rapid population growth, frequent droughts and rising demands from agriculture and industry. Leaking infrastructure and dwindling supplies threaten quality of life and economic growth. Abbott's plan aims to secure the state's water future while addressing ongoing environmental concerns. Texas suffered from severe drought in the summer of 2023, with only 11 percent of the Lone Star State drought free, according to the U.S. Drought Map, though more rainfall improved the situation in 2024. In September 2024, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the state loses "about a farm a week" because of water shortages. Texas Governor Greg Abbott takes a question from a reporter outside the West Wing after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 5, 2025, in Washington. Texas Governor Greg Abbott takes a question from a reporter outside the West Wing after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on February 5, 2025, in Washington. Andrew Harnik/GETTY What To Know Details of the Water Investment The bills signed by Abbott—Senate Bill 7 (SB 7) and House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7)—target repairing aging water systems and investing in new supply sources. Half of the $20 billion allocation is earmarked for infrastructure upgrades and the other half will support projects such as pipelines and desalination. Voter Approval and Immediate Funding The plan requires voter approval of HJR 7 in November to dedicate $1 billion a year from state sales tax revenue, beginning in 2027. However, the $2.5 billion allocation for the Texas Water Fund is secured regardless of the November ballot result. The Texas Water Development Board will oversee project selection and funding distribution as the state shifts to a coordinated, regional strategy for water management. Texas Water Context Water scarcity is a recurring crisis in Texas. Years of drought, persistent population increases and intensified industrial use have stretched existing systems, forcing some cities to consider restricting development. The state also faces a backlog of expensive infrastructure repairs, with Houston alone reporting a $4.93 billion need because of leaking pipes according to city officials. What People Are Saying Texas Governor Greg Abbott: "We lose about 88 billion gallons of water a year because of broken, busted, and aged pipes." State Senator Charles Perry: The new law represents "a cultural shift from the way we do water in Texas" and moved the focus to coordinated regional strategies. What Happens Next Texas voters will decide on final funding through a constitutional amendment in November. If passed, the initiative will set aside $1 billion annually for water projects, beginning in 2027, with immediate funds supporting urgent infrastructure needs across the state.
