As we’ve said before, the Texas Constitution is a gloriously inefficient document. It’s that way on purpose. The result is an effective constraint on power. But there’s a price to be paid – voting in today’s constitutional amendment election lasts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As Anna Tinsley of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted, “The constitution as it stands shows a lack of faith in government. Texas’ forefathers slashed the power of officials as well as the length of terms in office and salaries in general. Because of tight restrictions, the document has had to be updated and amended time after time through the years.”

And that’s what’s on the ballot – seven updates that in any other state would be done by legislation or even executive action.

All seven of the proposed constitutional amendments should be passed. But two of the seven stand out, and deserve further explanation.

Proposition 1 would raise the homestead exemption for public school property taxes from the current $15,000 to $25,000. The proposition is part of a $4 billion property tax relief package. Because school districts recognized the likelihood of the proposition’s passage, most – including Tyler Independent School District – have already budgeted for it. They’ll lose some revenue because their taxable values will be reduced. The average Tyler ISD tax bill would drop about 3.5 percent, Tyler officials have calculated, but that adds up. The district would lose about $3.1 million in tax revenue. State funding increases will make up much of that. Public school taxes make up the lion’s share of a homeowner’s property tax bill, so this would be some welcome relief.

We recommend a “yes” vote for Proposition 1.

Proposition 7 would bolster highway funding. It would dedicate $2.5 billion of revenue from the sales and use tax annually to the State Highway Fund starting on Sept. 1, 2017. Beginning Sept. 1, 2019, 35 percent of revenue from the sales and use tax on motor vehicles exceeding $5 billion would be dedicated to the State Highway Fund annually. This new revenue for the State Highway Fund would be used to construct and maintain non-tolled roadways, purchase rights-of-way and make payments on general obligation bonds issued by the Texas Transportation Commission.

This isn’t a new revenue stream – it’s basically changing pockets. But it’s important that this funding be dedicated – to ensure that future Legislatures don’t dip into the account for other purposes.

And that’s why we endorse the passage of Proposition 7.

In brief, Proposition 2 would exempt property taxation for surviving spouses of disabled veterans 100 percent. By all means.

Proposition 3 would eliminate a rule that certain state officials must live in Austin. Proposition 4 would allow professional sports teams to hold raffles for charity. Proposition 5 would let some smaller counties build and maintain private roads, if the property owners pay for it.

And Proposition 6 would make hunting and fishing constitutional rights in the state of Texas. The measure also would designate hunting and fishing as “preferred methods of managing and controlling wildlife.”

We urge approval for all seven propositions.