Texas Proposition 9 (2007)
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Proposition 9 authorizes the legislature to exempt all or part of the residence homesteads of certain totally disabled veterans from ad valorem taxation. It would also authorize a change in determining the amount of the existing exemption from ad valorem taxation to that disable veterans are entitled to.[1]
Proposition 9 appeared on the statewide November 2007 ballot in Texas along with fifteen other statewide propositions; all of them passed. All sixteen ballot measures were legislative referrals voted onto the ballot by the Texas State Legislature.
The proposition would initiate the following changes:
- at least 10 percent but less than 30 would be granted a property tax exemption up to $5000
- 30 percent but less than 50 would get a $7,500 property tax exemption
- 50 percent but less than 70 would get a $10,000 property tax exemption
- 70 percent or more would be granted a $12,000 property tax exemption
Statement of Support
It would align the states plan with those of the procedures currently used by the Veteran's Affairs in calculating disability.
- It would be a token of gratitude to America's soldiers
- Would allow disable veterans to round up instead of down for a tax break
Newspapers
Dallas Morning News
- " Voting yes would allow veterans who suffer from severe disabilities to get an exemption from their property taxes. We say vote yes."[2]
The Austin Chronicle
- "Under current imperial conditions, this is the least we can do for disabled veterans. Now let's stop making more of them."[3]
The Houston Courier[4]
Other Support
Statement of Opposition
The statement of opposition states that a property tax break would cost to much to local governments or school districts.
- The influx due to Iraq would cause even more of a burden on local governments if this was granted.
- Totally disabled veterans are eligible for a tax freeze under Art. 8 so they would never face a tax increase.
Opposition
Capital Annex does not endorse Prop. 9 because:
"Total exemption from ad valorem taxes on residence homesteads of vets who are totally disabled will sharply reduce revenue available to local governments and shift that burden back, ultimately, to other taxpayers or the state. In addition, with the increasing number of Iraq and Afghanistan conflict veterans who are coming home disabled, this will cause the burden to worsen and last for a not insignificant amount of time."[6]
A Taxpayer's Perspective
Proposition 9 would institute an exemption from property taxes for certain disabled veterans.
Election results
The initiative passed with 1,474,147 voting for it (91%) and 148,047 voting against it (9%).
See also
References
- ↑ Proposition 9 language
- ↑ We Recommend, Dallas Morning News, Oct. 23, 2007
- ↑ Austin Chronicle Endorsements, Nov. 2, 2007
- ↑ Proposition 2 will keep program alive, Houston Courier, Nov. 1, 2007
- ↑ AFP
- ↑ 2007 Constitutional Amendment Election Endorsements, Capital Annex, Oct. 23, 2007
External links
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