texas proposition 13
Proposition 13: A Short-Term Fix With Long-Term Costs
Texans are being told Proposition 13 is about relief — but the fine print tells a different story.
Prop 13 raises the homestead exemption again, promising that the state will make up the money schools lose. That sounds fair enough, until you realize we’ve heard this promise before — and we’re still paying the price.
In 2011, a similar “tax cut and replace” plan led to billions in cuts to public education and essential community services. Even today, school funding still hasn’t caught up to inflation. Now lawmakers are setting us up for another shortfall — one that could force even deeper cuts the next time the economy slows.
At Wake Up Texas, we believe in affordable homes and strong public schools. Prop 13 may feel like a win, but history shows it’s a ticking clock — one that runs out the moment the state runs out of money.
📖 Read the full text of SJR 2 (Prop 13): 89(R) SJR 2 - Enrolled version
📖 Read the enabling legislation (SB 4): 89(R) SB 4 - Enrolled version
📑 Read the Senate Research Center’s Bill Analyses
👉 Prop 13 promises relief for homeowners — and for many families, it will help. But history shows those savings can come at a steep cost to our schools and our future. Read our full breakdown on Substack to learn what this amendment really means for Texas.
Continue reading on Substack → Prop 13: A Short-Term Fix with Long-Term Costs