Dallas-Fort Worth (WBAP/KLIF) – On Election Day Tuesday, Texas voters had many constitutional amendment propositions on the ballot. Proposition 4 was top of mind for many; the issue amending the constitution to making it harder for lawmakers to levy an income tax passed overwhelmingly.
Governor Abbott issued a statement after passage praising the vote:
“Today’s passage of Prop 4 is a victory for taxpayers across the Lone Star State,” Abbott said in a statement. “I am grateful to Rep. Jeff Leach for his bold leadership on this issue, and for the overwhelming majority of Texans who voted to ensure that our great state will always be free of a state income tax. This ban on such a disastrous tax will keep our economy prosperous, protect taxpayers, and ensure that Texas remains the best state to live, work, and raise a family.”
Meantime, on Election Day eve, Abbott urges voters to, Keep Texas, Texas.” .
On Tuesday, November 5th, vote FOR Prop. 4 to prevent an income tax in Texas.
Keep Texas, Texas.
@VoteFORProp4 #txlege pic.twitter.com/339n8ZU5ev
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 5, 2019
Only one of the 10 propositions on ballot failed: Proposition 1 would have allowed voters to elect municipal judges to serve in multiple cities at the same time. The 95% of municipal judges in Texas who are appointed by city councils are already allowed to serve in more than one office.
—
Meantime, voters in several communities also decided on local bond and other issues:
In Tarrant County voters approved a bond issue allowing for the issuance of 825-million dollars in bonds to update school buildings in the Tarrant County College District. the bonds will be repaid through property taxes.
A proposed 315-million bond program to improve all the schools in the Keller ISD and add indoor athletic fields at each of the four high schools was also approved.
In Arlington, voters approved a 966-million dollar bond initiative to rebuild four schools, and to add a competition football field and six competition softball fields. Administrators do not expect to increase the tax rate for the bond.
—
A quick look at constitutional amendment propositions getting a thumbs up:
~ Prop 2 … a texas water development board bond issue targeting water supply and sewer service projects in low income areas.
~ Prop 3 would temporarily exempt property owners in a governor-declared disaster area from a portion of the taxes for the property’s appraised value.
~ Prop 5 ensures that all revenue from state sales taxes imposed on sporting goods goes toward two state agencies to maintain the state’s parks and historical sites.
~ Prop 6 would allow the legislature to increase from $3 billion to $6 billion the amount of taxpayer-backed bonds the state issues for the cancer prevention and research institute of texas.
~ Prop 7 would double the 300-hundred million dollar annual public education funding awarded to the available school fund … which gives schools funding for each student and textbooks.
~ Prop 8 would create a flood infrastructure fund in the state treasury for the texas water development board to pay for drainage, flood mitigation and flood control projects.
~ Prop 9 would exempt precious metals from ad valorem taxes if they are held in a texas depository.
~ Prop 10 would ensure that retiring law enforcement animals, such as dogs and horses, can go to their handlers or qualified caretakers without having to be auctioned off.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News)
