It was a somewhat predictable election night with a few surprises and a couple of runoffs to come.
All 7 proposed constitutional amendments (aimed at cutting property taxes, boosting funding for road projects and reiterating Texans’ right to hunt and fish) sailed through last night with no amendment receiving less than 66 percent of the vote.
With the passaged of proposition 1, a typical Texas homeowner will see a property tax break of about $130 per year. Proposition 7 will dedicate certain existing revenue streams to the Texas Department of Transportation. This dedication of revenue is expected to give the transportation agency an estimated $3 billion in extra funds a year.
Some of the biggest headlines came out of the Houston area. State Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) and former Kemah Mayor Bill King head to a runoff on Dec. 12 to decide who will be the next Mayor of Houston. The hotly contested HERO (Houston Equal Rights Ordinance) proposition was defeated 62 percent to 38 percent.
In the six-way special election to replace state Rep. Joe Farias, (D-San Antonio) in House District 118, Republican John Lujan and Democrat Tomas Uresti head to the runoff with 28 percent and 22 percent, respectively. State Rep. Farias’ son, Gabe, came in a close third place with 18 percent. The three other candidates all drew less than 13 percent support.
Be on the lookout for run-off updates in mid December.