With the election less than a month away, many are asking for more details and a clearer explanation of the two constitutional amendments that will be on the ballot.

Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) further explained the propositions that will be on the May 7 ballot across Texas. Early voting will begin April 25.

In the legislative special sessions of 2021, both propositions passed by unanimous votes. Below are some plain language talking points to answer many of the frequently asked questions.

“The Secretary of State has been sending calls to my office about Propositions 1 and 2,” said Bettencourt. “Many voters have been finding the ballot language confusing, and I want to clarify what these amendments actually do. Homeowners over the age of 65 will see their freeze values for school taxes actually decline. Also, if passed, Proposition 2 will lower independent school district property tax bills by increasing the homestead exemption that will save money for the 5.67 million homesteads in the State of Texas.”

Proposition 1 would benefit individuals with an over 65 or disabled exemption on their homestead. They would receive a reduction on school district property taxes. HB 3 from the 86th Legislature compressed school maintenance and operation tax rates across the board except for over 65 and disabled because their rate was already lower than the new rate for everyone else. This amendment would provide for the same percentage reduction in an individual’s school district tax rate that everyone else received in 2019.

On average these households would see a $110 reduction the first year and $125 reduction in the second year. The reduction will continue to grow each year.

Proposition 2 would increase the homestead exemption by $15,000 for school district taxable value purposes, from $25,000 to $40,000. On average, the 5.67 million homesteads in Texas would see a $175 savings in their school district tax bill at the current average statewide school property tax rate.

If one or both of these amendments passes, no school districts would lose any revenue they are entitled to receive from the school funding formulas. State dollars will replace any local dollars a school district would otherwise lose from the passage of these amendments.