Gov. Greg Abbott and his most prominent Democratic challenger, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, quickly sought to frame Tuesday’s election results in New York City and elsewhere as a sign of what’s at stake for the governor’s race in Texas next year.

Voters are angry about taxes, worried about the economy and fed up with the political status quo. Who can blame them?

A year after President Donald Trump won re-election, voters across the country made clear they want something different. Texans showed their displeasure in smaller and subtler ways, yet still cracked the door to surprises in the 2026 races.

As usual, Texans approved all the proposed state constitutional amendments. But the margins told a different story.

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Of the 17 amendments on the ballot, seven expanded property tax exemptions, three banned certain types of taxes, and three created special funds for technical colleges, dementia research and water projects.

Voters easily approved expanded property-tax exemptions for homeowners, seniors, veterans’ spouses and buildings destroyed by fire. They were far less enthusiastic about exempting businesses, ranchers and DIY border fences. A ban on taxing stock transactions was the least popular. Occupy Wall Street, anyone?

Wealthy Texans already enjoy some of the lowest effective tax rates in the country. The ban on income, capital gains, wealth and inheritance taxes guarantees they will never pay their fair share.

When sales and severance taxes fall with the next oil bust—which may already be starting—these amendments will make it........

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