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Proposition 1 - AGAINST

• Ballot Language - SJR 59
  • "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System."
• Recommendation: NO
  • The Nueces County Republican Party recommends voting against this proposition for several reasons. The amendment would create two new funds, outside the general revenue fund, solely to support the TSTC system. However, funding has been available to this system since 1993 under Article 7, Section 17, of the TX Constitution, referred to as the Higher Education Fund. The amendment would establish new funds requiring administration 1 and management, increasing government spending outside the typical budgetary process. This would mandate unneeded government spending and allow greater expenditures in future years without legislative approval. Such a proposition is antidemocratic as the Legislature alone should decide the budget each year, not constitutional mandates.

Proposition 2 – FOR

• Ballot Language SJR 18
  • "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust."
• Recommendation: Yes
  • The Nueces County Republican Party recommends supporting this proposition because capital gains taxes negatively affect the economy by influencing investment and savings decisions, and harm overall economic growth. While Texas does not currently tax realized capital gains, this amendment would ensure such a tax is never imposed. Further, there is currently unrealized gains tax on real estate, which represents the largest part of most people’s unrealized capital gains. This is economically harming many Texans and should be banned by this amendment

Proposition 3 – NEUTRAL

• Ballot Language SJR 5
  • "The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony."
• Recommendation: NEUTRAL
  • The Nueces County Republican Party is remaining neutral on this proposition due to the amendment containing both positive and negative aspects. While protecting people from violent criminals being released on bail and committing further crimes is important, this amendment would remove the discretion of judges to make bond determinations in each case based on the facts of each case. Further, individuals jailed are innocent until proven guilty and mandating denial of bond to someone potentially innocent is unconstitutional. However, there are positive aspects to this amendment as it would mandate trial judges to make findings of fact regarding bail determinations and also guarantees the presence of counsel at such hearings, which are important constitutional safeguards. We recommend that the voter do more research and make the best decision that aligns with their principles.

Proposition 4 – AGAINST

• Ballot Language - HJR 7
  • "The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue."
• Recommendation: NO
  • While sensitive to the ongoing water needs in Nueces County and across the state, the Committee ultimately recommends voting against this proposition. This is not because the Committee is against resolution of the water issues in the state, but rather because creation of a constitutional fund is an improper solution. This amendment would mandate one billion dollars deposits annual for 20 years beginning in 2027 into a separate Texas Water Fund (TWF). The Legislature would be barred from changing the allocation for 10 fiscal years. Aside from depriving the Legislature of discretion, this amount is only a small fraction of the actual needed amount with some studies recommending $154 billion to resolve the water issues. This allotment depends on tax revenue that exceeds $46.5 million each year. There are existing excess funds that could be applied using the same legislative procedure that placed $1B in the TWF in 2023 and $2.5B in 2025. Legislative appropriations do not require changing the Constitution and are merely a means for the Legislature to duck responsibility. Further, funds placed into the New Water Supply for Texas fund do not allow for water conservation efforts and only allow funding for specific opportunities such as marine desalination and brackish groundwater desalination. Providing funding through a constitutional amendment would reduce transparency and allow taxpayer dollars to be spent automatically without being subject to oversight by the Legislature during the budget process.

Proposition 5 – FOR

• Ballot Language - HJR 99
  • "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail."
• Recommendation: YES
  • Currently, feed is tax-free during production and use but is taxed when held as inventory in stores. Removing this tax would reduce costs for feed suppliers and help lower prices for farmers, ranchers, and consumers, who all deal with rising expenses. The Texas Legislative Budget Board found that the budgetary costs “are not expected to be significant.” While this tax exemption is highly targeted, the cost would not be significant and is worth the economic benefits. This is a fiscally responsible proposition that helps businesses and consumers. Of note, the amendment only authorizes the Legislature and does not mandate the exemption, therefore increasing discretion for the Legislature but not forcing an exemption permanently.

Proposition 6 – FOR

• Ballot Language - HJR 4
  • "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions."
• Recommendation: Yes
  • This proposition would constitutionally ban Texas from imposing taxes on securities transactions or levying occupation taxes on entities involved in them. The Committee recommends supporting this proposition as it will protect free markets, promote investment in Texas, and prevent overreach by future legislatures. It sends a clear message that Texas supports financial freedom. There is no current tax so this will not deprive Texas of any current income.

Proposition 7 – FOR

• Ballot Language - HJR133
  • "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends supporting this proposition as it offers financial relief for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition (under the Seargeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act). This is an enhancement to the already existing law that benefits the surviving spouse of a 100% disabled vet. This amendment corrects an existing discrepancy for surviving spouses of vets that did not have a 100% disability rating at the time of their death and ensures they are financially protected. We further recommend measures that reduce the tax burden for persons in this state that have minimal financial impact.

Proposition 8 – FOR

• Ballot Language - HJR 2
  • "The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent's property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift."
• Recommendation: YES
  • This amendment would permanently ban death taxes in Texas, including estate, inheritance, and gift taxes. The Committee recommends voting for this proposition as death taxes are a form of double taxation that punishes success and penalizes families trying to pass on their hard-earned wealth to their heirs. This amendment would help prevent family businesses, ranches, and farms from being dissolved just to pay the government taxes. This amendment will ensure Texas remains a low-tax, pro-family, and pro-growth state, safeguarding generational wealth from government interference.

Proposition 9 – FOR

• Ballot Language - HJR 1
  • "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income."
• Recommendation: YES
  • This amendment authorizes the Legislature to offer property tax relief on tangible personal property used to produce income, such as equipment or tools owned by small businesses. The Committee recommends this proposition as it is a win for conservative values, lower taxes, limited government, and strengthens support for entrepreneurs. It reduces the burden on the backbone of Texas’s economy, small businesses, tradesmen, and independent contractors. By cutting unnecessary taxes, this measure encourages productivity, job creation, and local economic growth without expanding government programs.

Proposition 10 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 84
  • "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends this proposition because those whose homes are destroyed by fires will need and greatly appreciate a temporary property tax exemption. The Committee does note that all natural disasters such flooding and hurricanes should be covered by this exemption and criticizes the carve-out approach to taxation that the Legislature is taking by only covering homes destroyed by fire.

Proposition 11 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 85
  • "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled."
• Recommendation: FOR
  • This amendment would authorize the Legislature to increase the homestead property tax exemption from $10,000 to $60,000 of the market value of the residence of persons who are disabled or 65 years or older. Though the Texas Legislative Budget Board found the cost would be $1.2 billion over the next two years, a significant impact by comparison to other proposed exemptions, Texas public schools would be able to acquire the lack of funding from the state surplus, so the tax may not target everyone else. The Executive Committee recommends voting for this proposition as it lowers taxes and protects vulnerable communities. Notably, this amendment merely authorizes the Legislature to change the exemption, but does not mandate the exemption.

Proposition 12 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 27
  • "The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends supporting this proposition with small reservations. The amendment would provide more options for discipling judges, giving the Commissions more power to exercise control over judges abusing their power. The Committee is mixed on the portion regarding increased citizen representation on the committee. While non-lawyer presence is important to ensuring the judiciary is responsive to the citizenry, it increases the potential for improper understanding of when conduct is truly improper for those unfamiliar with the legal field. Further, it may further politicize the process. However, the benefits of this proposition outweigh the possible negatives resulting in the Committee’s positive recommendation.

Proposition 13 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 2
  • "The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommended voting for this proposition because it would benefit a wide portion of the population. While the Texas Legislative Budget Board found the proposition would cost $2.7 billion in tax revenue over the next two years, the state surplus can cover the cost to Texas public schools. The Committee concluded that the benefit to Texas homeowners, a substantial portion of the population (63% of Texans), outweighed the potential cost impact.

Proposition 14 – AGAINST

• Ballot Language - SJR 3
  • "The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue."
• Recommendation: NO
  • The Committee recommends voting against this proposition as it improperly mandates funding of medical research into the Constitution. “This bypasses the appropriations process, undermines limited government, and risks crowding out private innovation in healthcare without clear fiscal safeguards or performance accountability.” (Texas Policy Research). There are already eight institutions in Texas conducting such research. Other issues include potential overlap with federal funding, ignoring private sector funding of such research, geographic limitations, and potential administrative costs. As a constitutionally dedicated fund, this allows greater expenditures in future years without legislative approval.

Proposition 15 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 34
  • "The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends remaining neutral on this proposition due to the vague wording. While all committee members believed in the importance of protecting the rights of parents against government intrusion in general, the generalized wording is vague and provides little guidance on implementation of this as a constitutional right. The amendment risks further confusing legal standards in family law courts where balancing of the inherent right to parenthood with the safety of children is already a delicate balance. Further, the inclusion of language regarding the state’s substantial interest has potential room for abuse by the government. These caveats result in the Committee cautioning neutrality, despite the appearance of protecting parent’s fundamental rights to make decisions for their children.

Proposition 16 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 37
  • "The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends supporting this amendment because it clarifies and reinforces what’s already embedded in both federal and state law: that cities and other political subdivisions cannot allow non-citizens to vote.

Proposition 17 – FOR

• Ballot Language - SJR 59
  • "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements."
• Recommendation: YES
  • The Committee recommends supporting this proposition because it would enable the Legislature to provide a tax break for those who donate use of their property to border security. While this is another small property tax carveout, this exemption financially protects property owners who may have tax increases due to improvements on their property caused by border security measures. Those who land is taken for public use should not be further penalized via taxes.