This November, millions of Texas voters will head to the polls to decide whether to approve or reject 17 proposed constitutional amendments by state lawmakers. It’s an annual process that plays out in the fall during odd-numbered years following a legislative session.  This year, however, the potential benefits for the Houston area are greater based on two key funding proposals: $1 billion annually for water projects and $300 million annually for a newly created Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). Secretary of State Jane Nelson drew the order for the November 4 ballot last month, following the end of the veto period. As the state’s top election official, the Secretary of State oversees organizing the constitutional election. The propositions are drawn at random to determine the order in which they appear on the ballot. The two key propositions supported by the Partnership are as follows: Prop 4: "The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue." Prop 14: "The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue." The language above is precisely what will be included on the ballot. However, there is much more to these propositions and the legislation passed into law that makes these initiatives possible. Click here to read more about the potential $20 billion investment in water. Click here to learn more about the potential impact $3 billion in total funding for DPRIT could have on Houston’s medical research community. Included in the additional 15 propositions are recommendations related to the creation of a dedicated fund to support skilled trade programs at Texas State Technical College, changing the state’s tax code, and providing a tax exemption to surviving spouses of fallen veterans in specific scenarios.  A complete list of the ballot order and prop language is available on the Secretary of State’s website.  

Houston has made significant strides to improve its resilience as a coastal city over the past two decades. Federal, state and local leaders have prioritized efforts to strengthen flood mitigation, enhance power reliability and secure the region’s water supply.  Each weather event has brought important lessons, prompting investments and solutions to protect homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.  In the most recent legislative session, Texas lawmakers secured over $361 million for the Houston region to bolster water supply and advance ongoing flood mitigation projects. Targeted Funding The Legislature used nearly $1 billion in surplus dollars to secure dedicated funding for water projects around the state. The funding was included in the Supplemental Budget Bill (House Bill 500), making the dollars immediately available. The projects that receive that funding are highlighted in the General Appropriations Act and include significant funding for highlighted projects, including: $100 million for the Lynchburg Pump Station; the city had requested $177 million from the state $60 million for the Lake Livingston Dam Improvement $54 million for Cypress Ditch Regional Flood Mitigation Projects in Bellaire Click here to download the one-pager highlighting all the Houston-area resilience projects funded by lawmakers this session. Downstream Dollars Another significant change made by lawmakers this session was to make flood prevention projects eligible to receive state dollars from the Texas Water Fund. When it was initially created in 2023, the Texas Water Fund was targeted at developing new supply and addressing infrastructure. This session, under Senate Bill 7, the state will now be able to transfer available dollars from the Texas Water Fund to the Flood Infrastructure Fund for mitigation projects, like those highlighted above. This presents a significant opportunity to ensure the state maximizes its use of available funds to control how water is brought to Texans and how flooding is managed during major weather events. Dig Deeper Learn more about local victories highlighted by the City of Houston Learn why infrastructure is everyone’s business when it comes to building a resilient Houston The Budget Explorer Tool is now updated with the final version of the two-year spending bill. Click here to explore water funding Click here to explore education funding Click here to explore the 2026-27 state budget toplines   For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.