Texans are preparing for a pivotal election this November, one that could reshape the state’s fiscal landscape and social framework for years to come. On November 4, 2025, voters across Texas will decide the fate of 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution, a sweeping set of measures ranging from property tax cuts and education funding to bail reform and parental rights. Early voting is scheduled from October 20 through October 31, with polls opening at 7 a.m. on Election Day, as reported by Brownwood News and The Texas Tribune.
This year’s ballot is especially packed, reflecting a legislative session marked by both record budget surpluses—thanks in part to inflation and federal stimulus from the COVID-19 pandemic—and intensifying debate over the state’s fiscal priorities. The Texas Legislature passed the joint resolutions for these amendments earlier in 2025, alongside a biennial budget that includes a staggering $51 billion for property tax relief, according to The Texas Tribune.
So, what’s at stake? The amendments, often called statewide propositions, appear at the top of every voter’s ballot. They include billions in property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses, new funding for technical education, water infrastructure investments, and measures to further restrict certain taxes. But while proponents—including Governor Greg Abbott—argue these changes will maintain Texas’s business-friendly reputation and fuel economic growth, others warn of potential pitfalls.
“We always have to kind of balance giving folks tax relief versus making sure that we still preserve revenue for those public services,” said Shannon Halbrook, fiscal policy director for Every Texan, a left-leaning think tank, in an interview with The Texas Tribune. Halbrook and other analysts worry that repeated tax cuts, particularly those affecting school district revenue, could undermine funding for education, health care, and infrastructure. Local officials echo these concerns, noting that cities and counties are already facing tough choices—cutting spending or raising other taxes and fees to keep budgets afloat amid economic uncertainty and state-imposed limits on property tax collections.
Let’s break down the major proposals and the arguments swirling around them:
Big Ticket Tax Cuts and Exemptions
Several amendments seek to lower property taxes for a range of Texans: homeowners, elderly and disabled individuals, spouses of veterans, those whose homes were destroyed by fire, and even sellers of animal feed. For example, one measure would raise the homestead exemption for school district taxes from $100,000 to $140,000, potentially saving the owner of a typical Texas home about $490 on their annual property tax bill, according to calculations by The Texas Tribune. Another proposition would exempt up to $125,000 of business inventory or equipment from taxation, a move supporters say could spur small business investment but that critics argue may force cities and counties to raise tax rates or cut services to offset lost revenue.
Meanwhile, amendments would ban new taxes on capital gains, securities transactions, and inheritances. These proposals are partly a response to developments in other states, such as Washington, where a capital gains tax was enacted despite a prior income tax ban. Proponents, like Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, contend that these bans will protect Texas’s economic competitiveness. Critics, however, warn that locking in such prohibitions could tie the hands of future legislatures facing unforeseen fiscal challenges.
Funding for Education and Infrastructure
Other amendments aim to address long-term needs. One would create a dedicated endowment for the Texas State Technical College System, which lacks the ability to issue bonds like other public colleges. The goal: upgrade aging infrastructure, expand campuses, and close the skills gap in fields like plumbing and welding—a priority for Governor Abbott amid employer concerns about workforce shortages. Opponents, however, argue that establishing a permanent fund could reduce government oversight and transparency.
Another major proposal would dedicate up to $1 billion in sales tax revenue each year to a new Texas Water Fund, supporting projects to repair aging pipes, develop new water sources, and mitigate the effects of drought and population growth. With Texas’s water supply already under strain, and projections showing municipal demand could outpace supply by 2030 in the event of a major drought, supporters say the investment is critical. Critics caution about the long-term fiscal impact, especially if state surpluses dwindle.
Additionally, a $3 billion fund for dementia research is on the table. Modeled after the state’s successful Cancer Research and Prevention Institute, the new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas would fund studies on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related disorders, aiming to attract top researchers and advance treatment options.
Criminal Justice and Social Issues
Several amendments address criminal justice and social policy. One would require judges to deny bail for individuals accused of certain serious felonies—think murder, aggravated assault, or indecency with a child—if the state demonstrates that bail would not ensure court appearances or public safety. Supporters, including Republican leaders, say the change is needed to prevent violent crimes by people released on bond. Civil rights groups, however, argue that expanding pretrial detention could worsen jail overcrowding and erode the presumption of innocence. As The Texas Tribune notes, the U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized that “liberty is the norm, and detention prior to trial or without trial is the carefully limited exception.”
Another proposition would enshrine parental rights in the state constitution, affirming that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children’s upbringing. The intent, according to legislative analysis, is to protect these rights from shifting interpretations by courts. Yet some lawmakers and advocates have raised concerns about ensuring children’s voices are also protected.
Voters will also decide whether to clarify that only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas elections—a right already protected by state law, but which supporters say needs to be explicitly stated in the constitution to prevent local governments from allowing noncitizen voting. Critics argue the measure is redundant and could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment.
Judicial Oversight and Border Security
Changes to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct are also on the ballot. The amendment would increase citizen representation on the commission and adjust the process for disciplining judges. Proponents say this would promote transparency and accountability, while critics worry about politicizing judicial discipline.
Finally, a measure would exempt property owners along the Mexican border from tax increases resulting from the installation of border security infrastructure—a move designed to prevent landowners from being penalized for state-initiated security projects, but one that some fear could encourage more border wall construction and shift the tax burden elsewhere.
With so much on the line, voter participation is crucial. Texans must register by October 6 to weigh in, and those voting by mail need to submit applications by October 24. As The Texas Tribune points out, constitutional amendments can only be undone by another amendment, meaning the decisions made this fall could shape state policy for a generation.
As the election draws near, the debate is less about whether Texas should cut taxes or invest in infrastructure, and more about how to balance immediate relief with long-term fiscal health. The November ballot offers Texans a rare chance to chart that course directly.