Summary: Sample Ballots for Willow Park Precincts with District Ballot Items and State Ballot Items. Ballot Research / For the 07 November election, Willow Park Civics will post and update current information on Election Calendar, Voter Registration, Early and Election Day Voting, Ballot Research and Ballot Samples, Results.
Latest Update: 07 November 2023 11A; 24 October, 2023; 21 October, 2023; 16 October, 2023
Select #Tags for additional articles: #Elections2020
The 07 November 2023 Election. Get Ready. It’s your citizen right and your civic responsibility.
Page Index: Sample Ballot, Statement on ballot items, Articles and Opinions
Here is what will be on your 07 November 2023 Election Ballot.
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance;
and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves
with the power which knowledge gives."
James Madison, 4th US President and Founding Father
Sample Ballot, Statement on ballot items, Articles and Opinions
Willow Park is in Parker County voting precincts 410, 415 435. Parker County Texas > Main Election Page > Parker County Districts in .pdf
Your specific voting precinct in recorded on your voter registration card. Willow Park Civics Blog > Register: 07 Nov. 2023 Election. Get Ready. It’s your citizen right and your civic responsibility.
Parker County Texas > Sample Ballots > Sample Ballot for Willow Park
• View, download, or print. "You may bring your sample ballot in with you to vote, remember to take it with you when you leave." [Willow Park Civics highly recommends voters use a "cheat sheet." Either print the Sample Ballot and mark your vote on the Sample Ballot or copy the Ballot Items and your vote as notes.
• Choose your ballot by your precinct number found on your voter registration card.
BS 2 & BS 6 - voting precincts 115, 120, 135, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 300, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 345, 350, 400, 410, 415, 420, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450
• Explanatory Statements for the November 7, 2023 Constitutional Amendment Election [See Research below for additional explanation.]
Districts with Ballot Item(s):
• City of Willow Park Ballot: none
• Parker County Ballot:
• County Transportation Bond (Ballot Page 3)
• Parker County Transportation website (ParkerCountyBond.com)
• Willow Park Civics Blog > Parker County Transportation Bond and Willow Park Streets
• Aledo ISD: none
• Emergency Services District 1: none
• State of Texas (Ballot Pages 1 and 2)
• Texas Secretary of State > Current Election Information > Sample Ballot Only state ballot; see Willow Park ballot above.]
• See General Research Articles below.
State of Texas Articles and Opinion
[Editorial Notes: Proposition 11 and Proposition 12 deal with El Paso County and Galveston County, specifically. However, the Texas Constitution allows you to have a say in those issues, too.
• Proposition 1. Amendment to Texas Constitution to recognize a right to farm and other similar agricultural activities. HJR 126 (Document)
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”
• Proposition 3. Constitutional prohibition against the implementation of a wealth tax HJR 132 (Document)
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.”
• The Legislature aims to make it more difficult for a wealth tax to be instituted in Texas by outright banning it in the constitution.
Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes;
to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000;
to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts;
to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations;
to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”
The package would make a handful of changes to the school property tax system. Read about them here. Texas Legislature’s Property Tax Relief Deal Heads to Gov. Abbott’s Desk, The Texan, 13 July 2023
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”
• The Legislature moved to create a fund separate from the Public University Fund (PUF) — which exclusively benefits the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems — aimed at helping other state universities that do not receive PUF dollars.
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”
• The Legislature itemized an unspecified amount of money to the new Texas Water Fund, tasking the Water Development Board with its oversight. Read more here.
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”
• The amendment would create a funding mechanism for the $5 billion loan and bonus program for the construction of the new dispatchable power plants. Read more here.
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”
• The Legislature itemized $1.5 billion for the new fund to subsidize expansion of broadband internet service in sparsely-populated areas of the state. Read more here.
Ballot Wording“The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”
Employs a cost-of-living adjustment for current pensioners in the Teacher Retirement System, broken down as follows:
6 percent for a retiree whose retirement began on or before 8/31/2003
4 percent for a retiree whose retirement began on or before 8/31/2013
2 percent for a retiree whose retirement began on or before 8/31/2020
• Proposition 10. Exemption from property taxation certain business personal property owned by medical manufacturing companies, SJR 87 (Document)
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”
• Proposition 11. Creation of El Paso County conservation districts and tax authorization, SJR 32, (Document)
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.”
• Extends to El Paso County the ability to establish conservation and reclamation districts financed through the issuance of bonds and collection of ad valorem taxes.
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”
• Requires approval by statewide voters and Galveston County voters.
• Proposition 13. Increase the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 75 to 79, HJR 107, (Document)
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”
• Ballot Wording “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”
• The Legislature itemized $1 billion for the new fund that will be used by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to expand and improve the state’s park system. Read more here.
General Research Articles
! Secretary of State’s Explanation of Constitutional Amendments This is the “official” explanation from the SOS about what the amendments mean, but no recommendations.
! The Texas Legislative Council's Analysis of Proposed Constitutional Amendments 88th Texas Legislature is the Texas government's official analysis.
Opinion
If you have other opinion pieces you think should be posted, please share at the Chat below or at Contact.
• Opinion of opposing sides: Here’s a Review of the Constitutional Amendments on Texas' November 7 Ballot, The Texan, 23 October 2023
• Opinion: Liberty Report: Decoding Deception: The Texas Ballot and the $13.8 Billion Question, Dallas Express, 07 November 2023
On Nov. 7th, Texans have one last opportunity to curb state spending.
• Opinion: Parker County Republican Women (Paid for by Parker County Republicans for Conservative Government PAC) > "Senator Springer's explanation of the Amendments may be reviewed at Keep Parker County Great" in .pdf
• Opinion from Senator Phil King, former TX House Rep for Willow Park, October 2023
• Opinion Gene Martin Precinct 410 Chair, Getting Ready for the 2023 General Election! email 15 October 2023 in .pdf
• Opinion: TX House Rep. Glen Rogers Time to vote on 2023 Texas Constitutional Amendments, The Community News, 18 October 2023
• Opinion: Parker County Conservatives, email 23 October in .pdf
• Constitutional Amendment Recommendations
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH We are including constitutional amendment recommendations from three different organizations, including the recommendations presented by Tim Hardin (Texans for Fiscal Responsibility) at our last meeting. All three organizations are limited government organizations whose principles closely align with those of Parker County Conservatives. However, the inclusion of their recommendations and their analysis is merely to help you make an informed decision and to help clarify some of the confusing language - not to tell you how to vote. We are also including links to Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Texas Legislative Council which includes more information including summaries of the comments from supporters and opponents of the different propositions.
• Opinion: Texas to decide on 14 constitutional amendments on Nov. 7 ballot, The Center Square, 23 October 2023, Excerpts. Multiple resources available online to help educate voters about the measures,
• Opinion: More Corporate Welfare in the Texas Constitution | Six Propositions on the November 7 Ballot, Huffines Liberty Foundation, 08 September 2023, Excerpt.
The beginning of modern corporate welfare in Texas began on November 3, 1987, when 51.7 percent of Texas voters approved Proposition 4, which allowed Texas state and local governments to give taxpayer money to private individuals and businesses for the purpose of "economic development."
Since then, Texas has given tens of billions of dollars to businesses that prefer to take money from taxpayers rather than earn it from consumers.
On November 7 (early voting starts today), Texans will be asked to approve six amendments to the Texas Constitution that will send another $7.8 billion to various businesses.
Opinion: Will Texas Voters "Bust" the Constitutional Limit on State Spending? Huffines Liberty Foundation, 25 October 2023
Texas politicians had a choice to make this spring. With a record $80 billion of new revenue available, they could either spend the money or give it back to Texas taxpayers in the form of property tax relief.
Unfortunately for Texans, for the most part, they chose to spend our money.
The spending decision was not the only choice members and legislative leaders had to make during their regular session. They were constitutionally constrained by spending all the money by something known as the Tax Spending Limit (TSL) in the Texas Constitution, which limits spending growth of “state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution” to no more than the growth of the state economy.
However, this dilemma did not baffle Texas politicians for long. They devised some “creative ways” to “bust the spending cap” imposed on them by the TSL.
First, they spent money “backward” into the current fiscal year to increase the base from which the TSL is measured. This allowed them to spend an additional $22.5 billion.
Second, they decided to make voters bust the spending cap through eight propositions on the November ballot to amend the Texas Constitution. This allowed the Legislature to potentially spend another $13.8 billion that otherwise would have been constrained by the TSL.
Articles
• Election Day 2023: Top Five Things to Watch in Texas, The Texan, 07 November 2023, Despite it being an off-year election, there are multiple notable themes to watch in the 2023 election.
• Fourteen Constitutional Amendments on Ballot, Dallas Express, 06 November 2023
• Tomorrow is Election Day! Here’s what you need to know about the bond and constitutional amendment election, Fort Worth Report, 06 November 2023
• Proposition 9 would increase pensions for retired teachers and public school employees, The Texas Tribune, 03 November 2023, Excerpt. If approved by voters on Nov. 7, the proposal would allocate $3.3 billion to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, increasing pensions between 2% and 6%.
• Do Texans have the “right to farm?” Voters will decide with Proposition 1. The Texas Tribune, 03 November 2023, Excerpt. Supporters of the amendment say it will protect farmers as the state’s largest cities continue to grow. Opponents suggest the amendment is too broad and ambiguous.
• Texans to vote on billions of dollars worth of debt and tax increase proposals, The Center Square, 27 October 2023
• Proposition 5 on Texas ballot would create new endowment for ‘emerging’ research universities, The Texas Tribune, 26 October 2023, If approved, the new fund would provide tens of millions of dollars to the University of Houston, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of North Texas.
• Texas constitutional amendment lets voters decide whether to cut property taxes for homeowners and businesses, The Texas Tribune, 24 October 2023 Excerpt Proposition 4 could usher in a bevy of property tax changes. That includes using $12.7 billion from a record state budget surplus to lower school district taxes.Proposition 4 could usher in a bevy of property tax changes. That includes using $12.7 billion from a record state budget surplus to lower school district taxes.
• Here’s a Review of the Constitutional Amendments on Texas' November 7 Ballot The Texan 23 October 2023
• Should Texas update its constitution? Your chance to vote starts next week, Fort Worth Report, 20 October 2023 [General review of voting process and ballot issues.] The amendments cover a wide range of issues, including property taxes, broadband and the right to farm. You can find more information on our Election Central page.
• Property tax bills arrived with a hefty discount but it’s not official — yet, Fort Worth Report, 20 October 2023
• Here’s A Rundown of the Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the November Ballot, The Texan, 28 July 2023, Excerpt. ...voters across the state will see 14 constitutional amendment propositions on their ballots — the most in six years
• Taxes, state parks, infrastructure: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments electionTexans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote. The Texas Tribune, 15 September 2023
• Building Strong Infrastructure for a Growing Texas, Comptroller of Texas, September 2023, Excertps. Lawmakers Ask Voters to Approve Additional Infrastructure Funding. From public roads to transmission lines, from water pipelines to broadband access, the elements of Texas’ infrastructure are the bones that support its sturdy economy; its pro-business bona fides rely on strong infrastructure to support 30 million (and growing) Texans where they live, work and play. Given the high stakes, state leaders and lawmakers have embraced the challenge of building and maintaining a strong infrastructure.
• Texas will have an $18.6 billion surplus and avoid a recession, comptroller projects, The Texas Tribune, 05 October 2023, Execpts. A number of constitutional amendments that will be decided by voters will ultimately determine how much money is left in state coffers at the end of the two-year cycle, including a $1.5 billion effort to expand broadband, a $1 billion Texas Water Fund to pay for infrastructure and potentially a homestead exemption if lawmakers agree on a property tax-relief plan.
• Texas’ economic “miracle” at stake in 2023 election, lawmaker says, The Texas Tribune, 06 October 2023 Excerpts:
The money allocated for each of the infrastructure propositions — water, broadband and energy — has already been allocated toward their respective projects, but can only be utilized if voters pass each amendment. The funds created allow money to be placed outside of the general treasury to be used past the biennial budget created every legislative session.
Three of the 14 amendments on the ballot this November have a direct impact on property taxes. Proposition 4, 2, 10
• An opportunity for investment on the 100th anniversary of the state’s park system, Dallas Examiner, 11 August 2023
• Governor Abbott Orders A Special Election Throughout The State Of Texas On November 7, 2023, Office of Texas Governor, 09 August 2023
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