November 8 Election - 2011 Constitutional Amendments

This post is going to give some info/links on the 10 Propositions we have to vote on shortly.  I'm going to post what TURF sent me in an e-mail because I don't see it on their site.  They were explicit on Prop 4 and said they opposed Prop 2 also but didn't give a reason.  I think it's pretty obvious that both propositions are giving beauracracies the power to tax us and increase our property taxes through the issuance of bonds without having to ask us.  The rest of the organizations I'll just give links to so you can go to them direct.

Here's TURF:
Beware of Prop 4 on Nov. 8!


On November 8, Texas voters will once again head to the polls to decide whether or not to approve 10 new ballot propositions passed by the 82nd Texas legislature. Prop 4 is based on the Constitutional Amendment HJR 63 authored by Rep. Joe Pickett (D - El Paso). Prop 4 would expand Transportation Reinvestment Zone (or TRZ) authority to counties.

TRZs heist property tax appraisal increases within the designated zone to pay for transportation projects, including to subsidize toll roads (which would be a DOUBLE TAX). TRZs allow local governments to use your property taxes to back bonds, and they don't have to go to the voters to do it. Your property taxes aren't going to go down once your city (which already has this authority) or county (who will get this authority if you vote 'yes' on Prop 4) sells bonds dependent on ever increasing property tax appraisals!

TRZs are a way for STATE legislators to punt on their responsibility to build and maintain STATE highways and their responsibility to end diversions of the gas tax to non-road uses, and allows them to outsource tax increases for roads by passing it down to the LOCAL level.

Spread the word! Vote 'No' on Prop 4!

Eagle Forum analysis of propositions and their recommendations here.

Empower Texans analysis of propositions and their recommendations here.

Houston Tea Party analysis of propositions 4-6 and their recommendations here

Texas Legislative Council analysis of propositions and pro/con arguments here.

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