Severe March winds have struck and KFYO reported that Texas Tech’s weather network recorded a 78 mph wind speed in Lamesa and a 72 mph wind speed in O’Donnell Tuesday night. KFYO’s story showed a semi-truck wind gusts rolled over on US 87 north of Lamesa.
Those winds and that truck are a metaphor for the ferocity of what our legislators are feeling from local governments while attempting to reform the property tax system in a way that gives citizens a meaningful say over large local property tax increases.
One of our great Lubbock listeners wrote to me: “I’m in for a solution. So who do we contact?”
Taxing entities are pushing for all kinds of spending to be exempt from the 2.5% threshold that triggers a ratification election, so tell legislators not to gut the fundamental reform by allowing more exemptions.
My answer applies to all: All our state reps and senators need to hear from you NOW in full support of HB2 and SB2. Insist they stick with the two and a half percent threshold trigger for local tax increase ratification elections and don’t allow any more carve outs from that so-called “cap.” Taxing entities are pushing for all kinds of spending to be exempt from the 2.5% threshold that triggers a ratification election, so tell legislators not to gut the fundamental reform by allowing more exemptions.
Legislators are getting so much blow-back from local governments that they need to hear from you, now. If they don’t hear from you now, they’ll be more afraid of local officials tipping their political careers over than of you, Texas voters.
You can find everyone legislator’s contact information at capitol.texas.gov. I suggest emails, phone calls, and hard copy letters to follow-up.
I’m using postcards. Cheap, to the point, and only costs 35 cents to mail. If enough are sent, maybe the Capitol mail room will be overwhelmed.