Texas Proposition 4, Tax Exemptions for Solar and Wind Powered Energy Devices Amendment (1978)

Texas Proposition 4
Election date November 7, 1978
Topic Taxes
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Texas Proposition 4 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Texas on November 7, 1978. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported the amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt wind and solar powered energy devices from taxation.

A "no" vote opposed the amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt wind and solar powered energy devices from taxation.

Election results

Texas Proposition 4
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,123,114	64.60%
No		615,361	35.40%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 4 was as follows:

“

To authorize the legislature to exempt from taxation solar or wind-powered energy devices.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

Organizations

• El Paso Solar Energy Association

Arguments

• Fred Sebastian, spokesman for the El Paso Solar Association: "The association believes industries promoting clean, safe energy deserve at least as much help from government as polluting or dangerous industries."

Opposition

Arguments

You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Media editorials

Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the proposition.

Ballotpedia lists the positions of media editorial boards that support or oppose ballot measures. This does not include opinion pieces from individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. Ballotpedia includes editorials from newspapers and outlets based on circulation and readership, political coverage within a state, and length of publication. You can share media editorial board endorsements with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Support

• Bryan-College Station Eagle Editorial Board: "The Eagle believes that perhaps there is a trend to create too many tax exemptions, but if this will encourage saving traditional fuel, we're for it."
• Abilene Reporter-News Editorial Board: "Such exemption would be an effective encouragement for private enterprise to develop these two promising alternative sources of energy."
• The Wichita Falls Times Editorial Board: "The Tax Relief Amendment and the other eight amendments have been approved by the Texas Legislature. The Times believes that voters should adopt them on Nov. 7."

Opposition

• The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise Editorial Board: "We're convinced that solar and wind studies are going to cost this nation in the billions for about 20 years until the day it is finally accepted that nuclear energy is the only real answer."

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Texas Constitution

A two-thirds vote was needed in each chamber of the Texas State Legislature to refer the constitutional amendment to the ballot for voter consideration.

The constitutional amendment was introduced into the Texas State Legislature as Senate Joint Resolution 53 during the 65th regular legislative session in 1977.

See also

1978 Measures

• 1978 Measures
• Taxes on the ballot
• 1978 legislative sessions

Texas

• Texas ballot measures
• Texas ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Constitutional Amendments