Local elections were held last weekend all across the state. There were several important items on the ballot, including several sizable bonds, with almost 250 bond propositions totaling $15.5 billion statewide, as reported by the Texas Policy Research Foundation.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened!
In North Texas, voters approved their school districts and cities to take on a whopping amount of debt. The cities of Dallas, McKinney, Irving, and Lewisville had a combined total of $1,922,370,000 in bond propositions for various requests. All of them passed.
In Georgetown, voters approved the state’s largest single school bond totaling $649 million with 70% of the vote. With interest, this will cost taxpayers $1.2 billion.
While those passed, Big Spring and Granbury ISD voters shot down bond proposals in their areas. Activists in both communities rallied citizens to warn members of their community about the potential debt via “If you Know, You No” campaigns that encouraged voters to vote no on school bonds and higher taxes.
Their efforts helped make the difference.
It’s important to remember that all bonds are added debt, which will increase property taxes, and approving or rejecting these propositions has long-term implications for the pocketbooks of taxpayers. The engagement and activism seen in communities like Big Spring and Granbury highlight the importance of informed decision-making and voter education.
Moving forward, Texas would benefit from continued efforts to educate voters about the financial consequences of bond propositions and other ballot measures.
By empowering citizens with knowledge and promoting fiscal responsibility, we can work towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all Texans.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility relies on the support of private donors across the Lone Star State in order to promote fiscal responsibility and pro-taxpayer government in Texas. Please consider supporting our efforts! Thank you!
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