Please don’t forget to Vote Nov. 3 FOR Prop 2 and 3 and pass this on to others who care how much their property taxes go up (or not!!)
Julie
Props 2 and 3 Protect Texas Homeowners
There have been some emails circulating that “warn” voters to vote against a couple of the proposed constitutional amendments that are up for vote on Nov 3. These emails claim that Propositions 2 and 3 will levy a state tax on homeowners. These emails are based on error and are not true.
The fact is these two proposed amendments will actually help protect homeowners in furtherance of our platform, which is why the RPT has endorsed them.
The Texas Constitution explicitly prohibits a statewide property tax, Art. VIII, Sec. 1-e. (“No State ad valorem taxes shall be levied upon any property within this State.”) These amendments do not amend or abridge this prohibition in any way. Here is what Props 2 and 3 actually do, and why they deserve your vote.
Proposition 2, (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.), actually protects homeowners from excessive property appraisals, which lead to dramatic increases in property taxes, by forcing appraisals to be based on property used “as is.” Currently, appraisal districts have to appraise property at its highest and best use, not as it is currently being used. That can lead to property in growing areas being appraised at far above their actual market value, which hurts homeowners tremendously by raising their property taxes. Prop 2’s aim is to keep that from happening by forcing appraisals to be based on how property is actually used. This proposal does not levy any state tax on homeowners.
Proposition 3, (The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.) also protects homeowners by laying out the groundwork to create and enforce uniform appraisal standards across the state. Currently, there is no single uniform standard governing how property is appraised, so one district might go about its appraisals in one way, while another district can have very different standards, leading to unbalanced taxation of homeowners. If this prop is approved, homeowners from the Panhandle to Galveston will be able to rely on consistent appraisal standards across the state. This proposal also does not levy any state tax on homeowners.
Republican Party of Texas
