I urge voters to support all seven of the constitutional amendments on the November ballot, but I want to highlight Propositions 1, 6 and 7, which I think are the most important for the future of Texas.

Proposition 1 will provide property-tax relief for homeowners here in the Permian Basin and across Texas by increasing the homestead exemption on your primary residence from $15,000 to $25,000. More needs to be done to prevent property taxes from continually rising, and this $10,000 exemption increase will help with that goal. Further, this proposition prevents the state from authorizing a new tax on the sale or transfer of real property.

Proposition 6 would establish, for the first time, that the right to hunt and fish is guaranteed under the Texas Constitution. More out-of-state activist groups are attempting to curtail our hunting heritage in Texas, but Prop 6 will help thwart their efforts. I’m a life-long hunter who supports conservation of our precious state resources, and support protecting our rights so that they can be enjoyed by future generations of Texans.

Proposition 7 is incredibly important for us here in the Permian Basin. After visiting with so many of you, I have an even greater understanding of how important the safety and quality of our roads has become. This is a critical time to re-invest in our transportation infrastructure, and Prop 7 will allow us to do so without raising taxes, fees or imposing tolls. Prop 7 would constitutionally dedicate an additional $2.5 billion of the state’s general revenue to be put into our highways, in each budget. I’m fighting to keep our fair share of that here in West Texas, and doing so will make our West Texas highways safer and more dependable.

These propositions are also supported by Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Many of you heard their support for these amendments during their recent visits to Odessa. 

This election gives you the opportunity to provide tax relief, guarantee the right to hunt and fish, and secure better roads for West Texas. Don’t pass it up!