How statewide propositions on the November ballot could impact Central Texans

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Today marks the last day to register to vote in the upcoming November election, which will include 17 statewide propositions. Of those there are several that, if passed, would impact many Central Texans.

Proposition 4 is one of those, dealing with water infrastructure funding… something District 56 Texas House Representative Pat Curry says is needed.

“McLennan county especially, but counties throughout Texas are in serious need of water, and especially in the future… you can’t grow without water,” Rep. Curry shared.

He explains that water infrastructure is essential to bringing in new water and moving it, but because of how old it is they’re now losing billions of gallons of water every year.

In hopes of fixing this they’re asking voters to approve $20 billion for water projects over the next two decades.

“It is a constitutional amendment that allows the state of Texas to spend excess money, not new tax money, but excess money on the water infrastructure and water security for the future of Texas,” Rep. Curry said.

There are also several tax exemptions, such as Proposition 5, which is an exemption on animal feed for those who sell it.

“Right now livestock feed is exempt when you buy it as a rancher and as a homeowner, but the inventory that those retailers keep on hand is actually taxed,” said Gary Joiner with the Texas Farm Bureau.

He further explained that if passed this would help lift the burden on both retailers and ranchers.

“It’s very limited in scope, but it’s very targeted to assist those that produce livestock in the state of Texas,” Joiner said.

And finally there is Proposition 7, which McLennan County veterans service officer Steve Hernandez says is a tax exemption for the spouses of veterans who have passed.

“With this, as long as it can be shown on the death certificate that the veteran died from a service connected disability the surviving spouse would be eligible for a full exemption,” Hernandez explained.

As opposed to now, where it differs from case to case… meaning the spouse isn’t guaranteed a tax exemption.

“It’s very much needed to help stabilize the fact that the veteran has passed… cause it’s already gonna be an adjustment, a financial adjustment, not just an emotional adjustment,” Hernandez shared.

But whether these propositions and the 14 others pass all comes down to the voters. “Be educated on the propositions and get out and vote,” Rep. Curry said.

As a reminder early voting goes from October 20th to the 31st and election day is November 4th. The deadline for counties to receive applications to vote by mail is October 24th.

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