This November 4th, Texas voters will face a ballot packed with 17 proposed constitutional amendments. While some deal with technical changes, two of them—Proposition 11 and Proposition 13—stand out for one simple reason: they offer direct, meaningful property tax relief for homeowners across the state.
At their core, both propositions are about fairness, stability, and helping Texans keep more of what they earn. In an era of skyrocketing property values and tight family budgets, these measures are practical steps to bring financial balance back to the people who make Texas home.
What Do Propositions 11 and 13 Actually Do?
Both amendments deal with the homestead exemption, which reduces the taxable value of a homeowner’s primary residence for school-district property taxes—the single largest component of most property tax bills.
Proposition 13 raises the general homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 of a home’s value.
Proposition 11 increases the exemption even more for seniors and disabled Texans, up to $200,000 of a home’s value.
That means homeowners will pay school taxes on a smaller portion of their home’s appraised value, leading to lower tax bills year after year.
For context: in 2015, the homestead exemption was just $15,000. With this year’s proposals, Texans could enjoy an exemption nearly ten times larger than a decade ago—a sign of consistent, bipartisan support for easing the property tax burden.
Why These Propositions Make Sense
1. They Provide Real, Immediate Relief
For most Texans, property taxes are the biggest recurring cost of homeownership after the mortgage itself. With home prices having surged in nearly every part of the state, even modest rate increases can translate into hefty annual bills.
Raising the exemption means taxes go down right away. Take a typical $300,000 home:
Under current law, you pay school taxes on $200,000 (after the $100,000 exemption).
Under Proposition 13, you’d pay on $160,000 instead.
That’s $40,000 less in taxable value—real money back in your pocket each year. For seniors or disabled homeowners under Proposition 11, the exemption grows to $200,000, leaving only $100,000 subject to school taxes.
That difference can mean hundreds of dollars a year in savings—money that stays in local communities, grocery budgets, and small businesses.
2. They Focus on Fairness for Fixed-Income Texans
Many seniors and disabled homeowners live on fixed incomes. Their property values may rise every year, but their income doesn’t. Proposition 11 recognizes this reality by offering additional relief to those who need it most.
Experts who testified during the legislative session estimated that if Proposition 11 passes, up to 80–90% of seniors could pay $0 in property taxes on their homes. For people who have worked their whole lives and are now retired, that’s an enormous boost to financial stability and peace of mind.
This isn’t a handout—it’s a recognition that Texans who built their communities shouldn’t be taxed out of them.
3. Schools Stay Whole—No Cuts Required
A common concern about lowering property taxes is whether public schools will suffer as a result. But these propositions are specifically designed to avoid that problem.
The Texas Legislature has already committed to using part of the state’s historic budget surplus—roughly $3 billion—to reimburse school districts for the revenue they lose from these exemptions.
That means:
Homeowners get tax relief.
Schools continue receiving the same funding.
Local districts can budget with confidence.
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, the Houston Republican who sponsored the proposal, put it clearly: “This is real money buying down real property taxes… and they’ll have this for the rest of their lives.”
4. It Builds on a Proven Track Record
Texans have voted to raise the homestead exemption three times in the past decade, and each time, voters approved it overwhelmingly. From $15,000 in 2015 to $40,000 in 2022, and then $100,000 in 2023, every increase has delivered real benefits without destabilizing school funding.
In other words, this approach works. It’s been tested, refined, and supported by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Proposition 13 simply continues that successful path, using today’s record state surplus to provide long-term relief.
5. It’s Simple, Transparent, and Direct
Most tax policy changes are buried in complicated legislation that takes years to trickle down to your wallet. These propositions are different. They’re straightforward: increase the exemption, lower the taxable value, reduce your bill.
This is one of the few times you can vote directly for a smaller tax bill. No bureaucratic red tape. No hidden strings. Just a clear choice for keeping more of your own money.
Answering Common Questions
Will this help only wealthy homeowners?
No. Because the exemption applies to the first $140,000 (or $200,000) of home value, the biggest percentage benefit goes to modest and middle-income homeowners.
Could future state budgets struggle to fund schools if surpluses shrink?
That’s a fair question. Supporters argue that Texas has repeatedly demonstrated fiscal capacity for this, and if future surpluses decline, lawmakers can revisit the structure. For now, the state’s strong economy makes this relief both possible and responsible.
How much will I really save?
The Legislative Budget Board estimates an average savings of about $360 to $400 per year per household, depending on local tax rates. It may not pay off your mortgage, but it’s enough to matter for groceries, utilities, or insurance.
A Common-Sense Path Forward
Texans value ownership, independence, and fiscal sanity. The homestead exemption embodies all three: it rewards responsible homeownership, ensures fairness across income groups, and keeps taxation within reason.
Critics may argue these changes are symbolic. But symbols matter—especially when they translate into tangible, measurable benefits. In a year when inflation has raised costs for everything from fuel to food, giving homeowners a few hundred dollars in annual relief is the right move.
Moreover, it strengthens communities. Lower property taxes mean more stable neighborhoods, fewer forced sales, and a stronger foundation for small businesses that depend on local spending.
Summary: Why “Yes” Makes Sense
Propositions 11 and 13 represent smart, balanced tax policy:
They cut property taxes for millions of homeowners.
They protect seniors and disabled Texans who can least afford rising costs.
They preserve school funding through state reimbursement.
They build on a decade of voter-approved tax relief that has proven effective.
And they require no new taxes or hidden costs—just a direct adjustment to the homestead exemption.
Texas has a unique opportunity this year to use its strong budget position to ease the tax burden for families, retirees, and working people alike. That’s not politics—it’s just good, old-fashioned common sense.
Final Call to Action
It’s not every day you get to walk into a voting booth and immediately lower your own taxes. On November 4, 2025, you can do exactly that.
Vote YES on Proposition 11 and Proposition 13 to:
Reduce your school property taxes,
Protect Texas homeowners,
Support seniors and the disabled, and
Keep our schools strong.
