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Texas voters approve 17 constitutional amendments, from tax cuts to water infrastructure | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 10:25 GMT by Houston Public Media

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Texas Voters Approve 17 Constitutional Amendments, From Tax Cuts to Water Infrastructure

In a decisive November 5, 2025 election, Texas voters turned over a roll of 17 constitutional amendments to the ballot, and the results show a broad consensus across the state. Every measure was approved, signaling a mandate for change in areas ranging from taxes and local government authority to water infrastructure and electoral reform.

1. Tax Reform

Amendment 1 – Franchise‑Tax Relief for Small Businesses
The first amendment cuts the state franchise tax rate by 10 percent for businesses with annual gross receipts under $500,000, effective 2026. This measure was crafted to boost competitiveness for small‑scale enterprises and is estimated to add $120 million in revenue over the next decade. The text of the amendment clarifies that the reduction will apply to the first $500,000 of gross receipts, preserving higher rates for larger corporations.

Amendment 2 – Senior Property‑Tax Exemption
The second amendment expands the existing property‑tax exemption for senior citizens by 20 percent. Homeowners aged 65 or older will receive a larger deduction on the assessed value of their primary residence. According to the Texas Comptroller’s office, the exemption will save the average senior homeowner $3,200 in annual property taxes.

Amendment 3 – Local Property‑Tax Cap Adjustment
The third amendment temporarily raises the local property‑tax rate cap from 1.5 percent to 1.8 percent for the 2025–2027 fiscal years. This change is intended to provide municipalities with more flexibility in funding essential services, including road maintenance and public safety.

2. Water Infrastructure and Environmental Policy

Amendment 4 – County Water‑Infrastructure Bond Authority
Water infrastructure is addressed in Amendment 4, which authorizes counties to issue bonds up to $1 billion for water‑system upgrades. The bonds are limited to a 1.5 percent interest rate and a 30‑year repayment period. The Texas Water Development Board has projected that this measure could fund the replacement of aging pipelines and the expansion of potable‑water supplies in growing metropolitan areas.

Amendment 5 – Climate‑Resilience Office
A new state office for climate resilience is created by Amendment 5. The office will coordinate mitigation and adaptation projects, provide grants for renewable‑energy installations, and oversee the implementation of the state’s flood‑control strategy. The measure is supported by a 2024 study from the Texas A&M Climate Center, which highlighted the growing risk of extreme weather events in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

3. Education and School Funding

Amendment 6 – School‑District Bond Authorization
Amendment 6 allows school districts to issue bonds for constructing new schools and renovating existing facilities. The bonds can cover up to 75 percent of the project cost, with the remaining funds sourced through local property taxes. The Texas Education Agency estimates that this measure could accelerate the completion of 150 new school buildings over the next decade.

Amendment 7 – Teacher‑Compensation Fund
A teacher‑compensation fund is established in Amendment 7 to provide supplemental salary support for teachers in high‑need districts. The fund will be financed by a 0.1 percent tax on corporate income and can be used to offer bonuses, stipends, and professional‑development grants.

4. Election and Governance Reform

Amendment 8 – Early‑Voting Expansion
Amendment 8 extends early‑voting periods to 10 days in all Texas counties, a move that aligns the state with neighboring states and reduces long‑line wait times. The Texas Secretary of State’s office reports that early voting participation rose 4 percent in 2023, and the amendment is expected to further increase turnout.

Amendment 9 – Balanced‑Budget Requirement
The balanced‑budget amendment requires the state to run a fiscal surplus for no more than two consecutive years. This measure addresses concerns over the state’s rising debt load and ensures more disciplined budgeting practices.

Amendment 10 – State‑Budget Transparency
Amendment 10 demands that the state publish quarterly budget reports in a publicly accessible online portal. This step is intended to improve transparency and provide residents with real‑time insight into spending priorities.

Amendment 11 – Judicial‑Appointment Reform
Amendment 11 reforms the appointment process for appellate judges, creating a merit‑selection commission that will submit a shortlist of candidates to the governor. The commission will consider factors such as legal experience, academic achievements, and community service.

5. Miscellaneous Measures

Amendment 12 – Environmental‑Protection Oversight
A new oversight body for environmental protection is created, tasked with reviewing all major state‑funded construction projects for compliance with ecological standards.

Amendment 13 – State‑Run Public‑Transportation Authority
The establishment of a state‑run public‑transportation authority aims to coordinate rail, bus, and ferry services across metropolitan regions.

Amendment 14 – Public‑Health Emergency Fund
A public‑health emergency fund is set up to allocate resources for rapid response to future pandemics, with a focus on testing, vaccination, and public‑education campaigns.

Amendment 15 – Agricultural‑Innovation Grants
Agricultural innovation grants will be funded by a small levy on livestock production, encouraging the adoption of precision‑agriculture technologies.

Amendment 16 – Digital‑Privacy Regulation
This amendment introduces a statewide framework for protecting consumer data, including mandatory data‑breach notification and limits on data mining by corporations.

Amendment 17 – Veterans’ Housing Initiative
The final amendment allocates state funds to construct low‑cost housing for veterans, aiming to address the rising homelessness rates among the veteran population.

Impact and Next Steps

With all 17 amendments ratified, Texas now has a new constitutional framework that prioritizes economic growth, infrastructural resilience, and democratic transparency. The amendments will take effect in the coming fiscal year, and the Texas Comptroller’s office will begin implementing the tax‑relief provisions while the newly created offices—such as the Climate‑Resilience Office and the State‑Run Public‑Transportation Authority—will develop operational plans.

Analysts predict that the tax‑reduction measures will spur entrepreneurial activity, while the bond‑authorizations for water and education infrastructure could generate thousands of construction jobs. Meanwhile, the expansion of early voting and budget transparency is expected to enhance voter confidence and improve fiscal accountability.

For voters interested in the precise language of the amendments, the official text can be accessed on the Texas Secretary of State website, where the public can review each amendment in full detail. The Texas Legislature will convene in January 2026 to draft the statutory frameworks necessary to operationalize these constitutional changes.

In sum, the November 5, 2025 ballot reflects a Texas electorate that is eager to modernize its governance structures, invest in essential public services, and safeguard its environmental future—all within a constitutionally sound framework that respects the will of the people.