Constitutional Amendments: Big Business Wants Billions of Taxpayer Dollars

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On November 7, Texas voters are being asked to approve $13.8 billion in new spending over the next two years proposed by the Texas Legislature. As noted elsewhere, this is because the Texas Legislature wanted to spend more money than allowed by the Texas Constitution. So instead of taking a dangerous political vote themselves to “bust” the state spending cap, Texas politicians decided to pass the buck to voters.

The new spending, which is covered by eight propositions on the ballot (see below), is for things like infrastructure, teacher retirement, and parks. While there might be some debate about the merits of these propositions, the primary beneficiaries of the $13.8 billion is seen in the sponsors of the political advertising in support of the spending.

For instance, above are the members of the Texas Infrastructure Coalition, sponsored by the Texans for Opportunity and Prosperity PAC, that are advocating in support of propositions 6, 7, and 8, which would spend $7.5 billion if approved by voters. However much Texans might benefit from the spending, these businesses—and the Texas politicians that have proposed it—would benefit more.

Here is a list of the amendments that would increase state spending by $13.8 billion and benefit special interests and corporations: