There are 17 items up for a vote in the upcoming Texas constitutional election, but one in particular stands out.

Let’s be honest — we’re all tired of taxes. They seem to come from every direction, at every stage of life. But one tax feels especially cruel: the so-called “death tax.” It’s always seemed like the government’s way of taxing you one last time before letting you go — or, more accurately, taxing the loved ones you leave behind.

The logic has never felt fair. A person works their whole life, pays taxes on what they earn, pays more when they buy things, and then — after death — their survivors may face a tax just for inheriting what’s left. Emotionally and ethically, it feels like kicking someone while they’re down. For many Texans, the idea that your death could trigger another round of government collections feels like the ultimate insult. New legislation could keep that from happening.

The new constitutional amendment on the ballot seeks to abolish any possibility of a so-called death tax, and that’s worth paying attention to. While the other 16 items may be dense with legislative jargon or symbolic political gestures, this one touches a nerve — and the memories your loved one left behind.

Read More: Exploring Texas: Why It's The Second Most Haunted State |

At its core, this amendment represents something simple: the belief that you should be able to leave your hard-earned assets to your loved ones without the state taking a cut. Whether or not you agree with the rest of the ballot, this issue alone may be reason enough to get out and vote.

Every Texas Death Row Inmate Executed or Granted A Stay in 2025

In 2025, five men met the needle for crimes ranging from spree shooting to brutal beatings, while two men were granted stays of execution- for now. Here's a look at what landed them on the row.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

WARNING: Ten Texas Hospitals Earn Worst “D” Grade in 2025 Ratings

The following ten hospitals in Texas received dismal "D" ratings for patient safety from the independent Leapfrog Group, a non-profit patient advocacy organization. Included in the rankings are serious, life-threatening "never" events like foreign objects being left in the body after surgery, neglectful events like patient falls and bedsores, and administrative problems like poor nurse communication and bad billing practices.

Gallery Credit: Renee Raven

More From KFMX FM