November 2023 Travis County Election
Oct. 24th, 2023 11:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebThis is a brief description of what's on my ballot, how I'm voting, and why. I also wrote a more detailed post.
Proposition 1 - protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management
No - because it's supported by big ag but not smaller farmers.
Proposition 2 - allowing counties and states to reduce property taxes for child-care facilities
Yes - It's expected to lead to additional much-needed child-care facilities.
Proposition 3 - prohibiting individual wealth or net worth taxes (without voter authorization)
Yes because I oppose wealth taxes, because you are taxing the same money over and over and because it's good to update the Constitution while it's possible. But progressives do not support this bill, I think because wealth taxes are progressive.
Proposition 4 - providing property tax relief
No because it's regressive and it's weirdly temporary. But I'm wavering a bit because if it doesn't pass, homeowners will get a surprise second bill and most of them aren't rich enough to not be bothered by that. (Disclaimer: I would save about $54/month).
Proposition 5 - a Texas University Fund to make more flagship universities
Yes because it provides reliable research funding for four additional state universities (in addition to UT and A&M). (Disclaimer: I love universities.)
Proposition 6 - creating a Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state
Yes because this our state's water infrastructure, which needs lots of help, and water is important for everyone.
Proposition 7 - creating the Texas Energy Fund
No because it subsidizes only new natural gas plants, not cleaner forms of energy that are much more appropriate during our climate crisis
Proposition 8 - creating a broadband infrastructure fund
Yes because this would extend broadband access, helping Texas catch up with the developed world, and this seems like a public utility that should be funded by the government.
Proposition 9 - providing cost-of-living raises for retired teachers
Yes because it really does support retired teachers and it's bipartisan. (Disclaimer: I like teachers, I got certified to be one and tried to be one for decades, and the passage of this proposition would give me an additional $45/month, minus taxes, forever)
Proposition 10 - exempting medical product manufacturers from ad valorem taxes
Yes because I oppose wealth taxes. (In case you don't care about that, it has bipartisan support.)
Proposition 11 - adding El Paso County to the list of counties that can issue bonds to fund recreational development and improvement
Yes because I support parks and the locals still get to vote on any actual tax increases
Proposition 12 - dissolving the office of county treasurer in Galveston County
No because I support checks and balances but not privatization of public offices
Proposition 13 - increasing the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges
Yes because I oppose agism
Proposition 14 - creating the centennial parks conservation fund to create state parks
Yes because I think a trust fund for new parks is an excellent use for part of the recent government surplus, and will help make up for a lack of funds in the past. (Disclaimer: I like parks, but so does almost everybody else.)
Travis County Propositions
Proposition A - improving roads and transportation infrastructure
Yes because it seems like the projects highlighted are a good idea
Proposition B - improving and increasing parks
Yes because park development needs to keep up with population growth
Proposition 1 - protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management
No - because it's supported by big ag but not smaller farmers.
Proposition 2 - allowing counties and states to reduce property taxes for child-care facilities
Yes - It's expected to lead to additional much-needed child-care facilities.
Proposition 3 - prohibiting individual wealth or net worth taxes (without voter authorization)
Yes because I oppose wealth taxes, because you are taxing the same money over and over and because it's good to update the Constitution while it's possible. But progressives do not support this bill, I think because wealth taxes are progressive.
Proposition 4 - providing property tax relief
No because it's regressive and it's weirdly temporary. But I'm wavering a bit because if it doesn't pass, homeowners will get a surprise second bill and most of them aren't rich enough to not be bothered by that. (Disclaimer: I would save about $54/month).
Proposition 5 - a Texas University Fund to make more flagship universities
Yes because it provides reliable research funding for four additional state universities (in addition to UT and A&M). (Disclaimer: I love universities.)
Proposition 6 - creating a Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state
Yes because this our state's water infrastructure, which needs lots of help, and water is important for everyone.
Proposition 7 - creating the Texas Energy Fund
No because it subsidizes only new natural gas plants, not cleaner forms of energy that are much more appropriate during our climate crisis
Proposition 8 - creating a broadband infrastructure fund
Yes because this would extend broadband access, helping Texas catch up with the developed world, and this seems like a public utility that should be funded by the government.
Proposition 9 - providing cost-of-living raises for retired teachers
Yes because it really does support retired teachers and it's bipartisan. (Disclaimer: I like teachers, I got certified to be one and tried to be one for decades, and the passage of this proposition would give me an additional $45/month, minus taxes, forever)
Proposition 10 - exempting medical product manufacturers from ad valorem taxes
Yes because I oppose wealth taxes. (In case you don't care about that, it has bipartisan support.)
Proposition 11 - adding El Paso County to the list of counties that can issue bonds to fund recreational development and improvement
Yes because I support parks and the locals still get to vote on any actual tax increases
Proposition 12 - dissolving the office of county treasurer in Galveston County
No because I support checks and balances but not privatization of public offices
Proposition 13 - increasing the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges
Yes because I oppose agism
Proposition 14 - creating the centennial parks conservation fund to create state parks
Yes because I think a trust fund for new parks is an excellent use for part of the recent government surplus, and will help make up for a lack of funds in the past. (Disclaimer: I like parks, but so does almost everybody else.)
Travis County Propositions
Proposition A - improving roads and transportation infrastructure
Yes because it seems like the projects highlighted are a good idea
Proposition B - improving and increasing parks
Yes because park development needs to keep up with population growth