Election Results

Election Results

Friday, 07 December 2007

During last month’s elections, Texas voters passed all 16 constitutional amendments, and local voters passes a Pflugerville ISD bond. Although they passed easily in the state, some had trouble in Travis County. Proposition 15, giving $3 billion for cancer research, barely passed with only 50.2 percent of the vote. Below are five examples of how passed amendments and bonds might affect Austinites.

Pflugerville School Bond

$125 million bond package

Property taxes not expected to rise

Includes:

• Money for two new elementary schools, a middle school and planning for a fourth high school
• Money for renovations at each campus
• Renovation and technology projects expected to begin in summer 2008

First new campus by 2010

• Funded by the 2005 bond package, Riojas Elementary is expected to open for the 2009-2010 school year.

Student Loans

Summary: This approved proposition enables the legislature to authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to issue no more than $500 million in general obligation bonds to be used for student loans.

• This program is designed to be self-supporting. As much money that goes out of the program is expected to be returned by repayment and investment earnings.
• No more than $125 million in bonds will be issued per year, according to the state’s education code.
• The THECB will be the lender.

In real life: Students attending colleges such as Texas State University or Austin Community College can apply for these loans. For more information, visit www.thecb.state.tx.us.

Vehicle Tax Exemption

Summary: It exempts from ad valorem taxation (property tax) one motor vehicle owned by an individual used in the course of the owner’s occupation and also used for personal activities.

• The program started with this tax year.
• It is limited to a single vehicle for each individual.
• The amendment allows individuals who use their vehicles to produce income while working and also use the vehicle for personal activities, such as shopping, traveling and day-to-day activities to exempt that vehicle from their taxes.

In real life: A real estate agent who owns a vehicle used for both work and play could receive the tax exemption.

Eminent Domain

Summary: A governmental entity can sell real property acquired through eminent domain to the person who previously owned the property or their heirs, successor or assigns, at the price the entity paid for the property at the time it was acquired.

A government entity must sell property back if:

• Public use is canceled before the 10th anniversary of purchase,
• No actual progress is made toward public use,
• The property is unnecessary for the public use.

In real life: The government acquires land for new roadway at a cost of $245,000. Plans for the roadway are canceled two years later, which means the government must return to the owner and offer to sell back the property for $245,000 and not at the current market price of $280,000.

Highway Improvements

Summary: This program authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to issue $5 billion general obligation bonds for highway improvements.

• Money would pay for highway improvement projects, the cost of issuing bonds and all or part of payment owed under credit agreements.

In real life: The legislature did not pass enabling legislation for this amendment during the last regular session. The Texas Department of Transportation will wait until the next regular session in 2009 for the legislature to determine how the money will be used and for what types of road projects.

Home Appraisals

Summary: It allows the legislature to limit the maximum average annual percentage increase on appraised value of a homestead.

• A home’s property value has a maximum increase of 10 percent per year.
• It clarifies current legislation to appraisal districts that appraise every two or three years.
• To qualify, homeowners must have a homestead exemption.

In real life: Austin homes are appraised each year. As a result, residents will not be affected because current legislation already caps appraised value.

Sources: Secretary of States Office, www.sos.state.tx.us; Williamson and Travis County appraisal districts, www.traviscad.org/default.html, www.wcad.org; Texas Department of Transportation, www.dot.state.tx.us; Pflugerville ISD, www.pflugervilleisd.net; Sen. Tommy Williams’ office, www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/members/dist4/dist4.htm.

Upcoming elections

• Travis County Primary Election
  • Election held: February 2008
• Travis County Primary Runoff
  • Election held: April 2008
• Austin City Council
  • Election held: May 2008
    • Three city council positions will expire in June 2008. City council member serve three-year terms, with a limit of six years in office.
  • Expiring terms include:
    • Place 3, Jennifer Kim
      • Kim has announced she will run.
      • Announced challenger: Randi Shade
    • Place 4, Betty Dunkerly
      • Dunkerly will not be campaigning due to term limit.
      • Announced challengers: Robin Cravey and Laura Morrison
    • Place 1, Lee Leffingwell
      • Leffingwell has announced he will run.
• Austin Independent School District
  • Election held: May 2008
    • AISD has not propsed a bond election since the passing of its 2004 package. The district has assembled a 21-member bond advisory committee, and will make its first presentation on the bond program Jan. 22 at the Delco Center.

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