Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM October 2019 | Page 22
CHERYL E. JOHNSON, PCC
Galveston Co. Tax Assessor Collector
[email protected]
Why Vote November 5th?
T
wo reasons - your wallet
and your convictions. There
will be three bond elections
(Friendswood, GC MUD
59 in Texas City and Water
Control Improvement District #8 in
Santa Fe), a Charter Amendment
election in Texas City, a Galveston ISD
Board election (Position 7) and 10
State Constitutional Amendments.
Bond elections always result in a
tax increase. Sometimes debt will
be paid down or refinanced thus
“making room” for new debt (so that
the rate is not increased) but this is
still a tax increase. Without new debt,
the tax rate could be reduced. Local
elections matter as these officials
control local governments thus
services and taxes. Charters define
the organization, powers, functions
and essential procedures of a city
government making it the most
important legal document of the city.
The Constitution defines, thus limits,
the structure, function and power of
Texas government.
Constitutional (or “off year”)
elections have the lowest turnout
of all elections because voters
aren’t necessarily paying attention.
This November 5th will provide an
opportunity for you to weigh in on
some important issues that will impact
you such as Prop 3 (an automatic
disaster exemption rather than
reappraisal if you suffer damage),
Prop 4 (prohibits a State income tax),
Prop 8 (creates a replenishing fund for
financing drainage, flood mitigation
and control projects), and for animal
lovers everywhere, Prop 10 (will allow
law enforcement animals to be retired
to their handlers or other caretaker).
The impact of a yes or no vote is
shown below (all begin with the words
“The constitutional amendment…”)
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MOMENTUM