Today is Election Day. This year, the city is proposing to borrow $1.2 billion, the largest bond proposal in its history, to fund infrastructure improvement projects. The five-year bond process, which does not call for a tax rate increase, covers projects through 2027.
The scope and impact of this bond election cannot be underestimated. The outcome will be determined by those who take the time to vote. It is critical that voters voice their choices. As a voter, you decide if using general obligation bonds as a funding mechanism is the prudent approach.
Separating the projects as six propositions on the ballot allows the voter to approve all, some or none of them. Funds for any proposition that does not pass are deducted from the $1.2 billion. A majority vote is needed to move forward.
The
six propositions to be voted on individually are:
A: $471.5 million for streets, bridges, sidewalks.
B: $169.9 million for drainage and flood control.
C: $271.9 million for parks and recreation.
D: $58.4 million for libraries and cultural facilities.
E: $78.3 million for public safety facilities.
F: $150.0 million for affordable housing.
The details of projects covered under each proposition can be found at SanAntonio.gov/2022bond.
In addition, two proposed Texas constitutional amendments will be on every voter’s ballot.
State of Texas Proposition 1 deals with a law the Legislature passed in 2019 that provided a property tax reduction to many homeowners. However, this reduction did not apply to homeowners who have filed exemptions for people older than 65 or with disabilities because under the Texas Constitution, their tax rate is frozen.
Proposition 1 would amend the Texas Constitution to allow disabled and elderly homeowners to receive the benefits from the 2019 property tax reduction that other homeowners received. This would freeze their tax rate at a lower rate.
The law related to this proposed amendment requires that the state reimburse school districts for revenues lost due to this proposition.
State of Texas Proposition 2 addresses how, currently, homeowners are able to reduce the market value of their primary residence by $25,000 when calculating their annual school property taxes. The proposed amendment would increase the amount of that reduction to $40,000. This could lower homeowners’ property tax bills.
The law related to this proposed amendment requires that the state reimburse school districts for revenues lost due to this proposition.
Arguments for and against both state propositions are at the League of Women Voters guide, V
ote411.org/.
Many Bexar voters will also have elections for school boards and/or their cities on their ballots.
Anticipated low voter turnout for these elections is disheartening. Imagine borrowing half a million dollars to, say, buy a home and not participating in the decision-making process — and here we are talking about $1.2 billion.
As Thomas Jefferson said, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”
Be part of that majority who participate: VOTE!
Madhu Sridhar is the president of the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of the San Antonio Area. Contact madhusridhar2012@gmail.com
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