AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) -- Texas voters have approved seven constitutional amendments that will allow new cooperation between cities and counties, give the governor more power to issue pardons and borrow more money for student loans.
Here's a look at Tuesday's unofficial results from the secretary of state's office:
Approved: Proposition 1 will allow the surviving spouses of all disabled veterans to continue claiming an exemption from state property tax after the veteran dies. Right now, a widow or widower must resume paying the property tax after her or his disabled spouse dies.
Approved: Proposition 2 will enable the state to create a revolving $6 billion bond package to finance water conservation, and sewage and flood-control projects.
Approved: Proposition 3 will allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue bonds that would fund low-interest student loans.
Rejected: Proposition 4 would have given Texas counties the same authority that cities and towns have to issue bonds to finance the development of unproductive, underdeveloped or blighted areas, while pledging repayment with property tax revenues.
Approved: Proposition 5 will authorize the Texas Legislature to allow cities and counties to enter into contracts with other cities and counties without triggering a property tax.
Approved: Proposition 6 involves money from the state's Permanent School Fund. The measure seeks to recalculate the formula by which funds from the endowment are distributed, which could increase the amount going to school districts.
Rejected: Proposition 7 would have allowed El Paso County to use property taxes from newly created conservation and reclamation districts to develop and maintain parks and recreation facilities.
Rejected: Proposition 8 would have let property owners opt out of agricultural or wildlife conservation exemptions - which could be a less cost-effective use of land during a drought - and instead get the water conservation tax exemption.
Approved: Proposition 9 will allow the Texas governor to grant a pardon, reprieve or commutation of punishment to a person who completes a sentence of deferred adjudication. The records could only be cleared on the written recommendation and advice of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Approved: Proposition 10 will give local elected officeholders an extra 30 days before triggering automatic resignation if they become a candidate for another office.
Online:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/
Local Races
Randall County Rural Sales Tax | | For | 414 | 53% |
| Against | 363 | 47% |
Spearman Local Option - Alcohol Sales | | For | 359 | 60% |
| Against | 239 | 40% |
Perryton Water Park Funding | | For | 253 | 67% |
| Against | 122 | 33% |
Friona ISD School Bond | | For | 196 | 56% |
| Against | 157 | 44% |
Miami School Board | | J.T. Smith | 104 | 44% |
| Paul Sublett | 87 | 37% |
| Mickey Manor | 45 | 19% |
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