To all it may concern:
I am late in getting back in touch with many of you and am sorry for this, especially if you've already voted.
I have been asked about Propositions 1, 2, and 3. After waiting for many days to talk to the people who could actually give me some intelligence on these propositions I am finally able to give you factual information.
Proposition 1 would authorize the Legislature to allow cities and counties to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces next to military installations to prevent encroachment or to construct roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation. The city or county could pledge increases in property tax revenues from the area to repay the bonds or notes.
The ballot proposal reads: “The
constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.”
My response to Proposition 1 is NO: that although protecting military bases is a worthy goal, the acquisition of such properties would cost the area considerably and how would they acquire the money to purchase these properties - by raising property taxes!
Since Texas has no other way of generating revenue other than sales tax and property tax it would (again) fall on the property owners. I say NO to this proposition. There are many military installations in America that have been closed and that property is still vacant.
Proposition 2 would amend Art. 8, sec. 1 of the Texas Constitution to authorize the Legislature to provide for taxation of a residence homestead based solely on the property’s value as a residence homestead, regardless of whether the residential use of the property by the owner was considered the highest and best use of the
property.
The ballot proposal reads: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.”
My response to Proposition 2 is YES: This was tricky and I called the authors of this bill (Representatives Otto, Guillen & Rose) and the Travis County Appraisal District. This bill would affect people whose property is located next to a commercial area (example, a shopping mall) and their property has been appraised according to its "commercial potential" instead of a homestead. Our "Taxable Value" is what we are actually taxed on, with our "Market Value" being the ceiling for that "Taxable Value" and when that "Market
Value" is high the "Taxable Value" can keep increasing 10% until it "caps" out. I am completely and absolutely FOR any law that would prohibit excessive appraisal values. I am also wondering why Texas remains a nondisclosure state. Talk to any appraiser in your county and they will tell you (if they are being honest) that we are losing a lot of tax revenue because of this law, hence the higher taxes to residential homeowners to fill in the gap for the government budgets.
Proposition 3 would remove the current constitutional requirement that administrative and judicial enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for property appraisal
originate in the county where the tax is imposed.
The ballot proposal reads: “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.”
My response to Proposition 3 is YES: we do need statewide uniformity and equity of our appraisal system. A homestead is a homestead wherever you are.
It could possibly lead to a loss of local control, but is this really a bad thing? I know that here in Travis County our property appraisals are completely out of control and we are literally being taxed out of our homes. Right now, until our Texas Legislature actually does something bold and courageous to protect its citizens we need any kind of a bill to protect excessive taxation in any way possible.
Here in Texas we need some sort of system that bases our taxation on our gross income. We have such a regressive taxation system that the majority of the burden of supplying our government with enough money falls mainly on the Lower to Middle
Classes. What happens when a state keeps turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the fact that people are losing their homesteads to excessive taxation? We need a program like a "Circuit Breaker Program" to protect the citizens who are being "taxed beyond their means". The following two websites and excellent explanation of a "Property Tax Circuit Breaker" - please read.
http://www.itepnet.org/pb10cb.pdf
http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=51#at
Also, I would encourage any of you to respond to me and let me know your opinions on the matter of property taxation in Texas. What are your concerns and SOLUTIONS to a very serious problem. Where do we make up the loss of income if we do not overtax the lower and middle class?
I am in the process of finding a way to fund my campaign for "Fair Property Taxation in Texas" and would appreciate any input on this matter. I feel that along with the education of the public and some straight talking to our Senators and Representatives that something tangible could be achieved in the next 2011
Legislative Session.
Peace to you all,
Kay Pils
305 West Milton Street
Austin, Texas 78704
[at]
I would abolish the state
I would abolish the state (cough), I mean, local property tax in its entirety and institute a state income tax. I would increase taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and sugared and fatty foods because the medical problems they create burden our health care system. I would increase taxes on polluters such as coal plants and other industries whose products overflow the landfills or contaminate our air and water. I would cap the sales tax because it is regressive although it's not too much different than a transaction tax. I would take a long look at nonprofits and the church regarding taxation but would probably not touch that for now. I would increase taxes on cars with low fuel efficiency. Having been in the public schools, I would quit buying computers since 90% of them sit idle most of the day. I have some other ideas too but I seem to be running out of space as this window narrows.
For what it's worth, I voted
For what it's worth, I voted against Prop 1, for Prop 2, and against Prop 3 which really just increases and/or duplicates work that the Comptroller's office is already doing. We already have statewide standards in place to monitor local appraisals.
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