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A picture of a person voting
With a pair of constitutional amendments on ballots statewide, and a slew of local politicians vying for votes, Southeast Texans have a chance to exercise a basic democratic right in the May 7 election.
Both amendments concern ad valorem taxes that may be imposed on Texas homeowners, according to information from the Texas Secretary of State. The propositions could lower the amount of property values upon which taxes are calculated.
“State of Texas Proposition 1” would authorize the state legislature to “provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
Under this proposition, homeowners who are disabled or 65 years and older can qualify for having school district property taxes capped or frozen.
The language of Proposition 2 reads, “Proposing a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes.
“The amount of $40,000 (up from $25,000) of the market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes,” reads the proposition’s full text. “The legislature by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the principal school district providing general elementary and secondary public education throughout its territory.”
In addition to this exemption, according to the proposal, the legislature by general law may exempt an amount not to exceed $10,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is disabled and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes.
The legislature by general law may base the amount of and condition eligibility for the additional exemption authorized by this subsection for disabled persons and for persons 65 years of age or older on economic need. An eligible disabled person who is 65 years of age or older may not receive both exemptions from a school district but may choose either.
Regarding school systems potentially losing funding should the measures pass, officials say the state would reimburse districts for the lost property tax revenue.
Local races
Jefferson County voters will have the chance to decide on a Sabine-Neches Navigation District proposition that would authorize the entity to use a portion of its existing maintenance tax revenues to secure funds for deepening the ship channel.
Port Arthur voters will be deciding on who to lead their top executive office, with incumbent Mayor Thurman Bartie running against Matthews Christian Jr., Floyd Batiste and Willie “Bae” Lewis Jr. Additionally, those voters will see a Port Arthur Independent School District election to fill a board of trustees position. That race will be contested by Dianne Brown, Nina Stelly, Jacori Narcisse, Yadi Cardenas and Kimberly Wycoff-Johnson.
Vidor voters have three ward representatives to elect Saturday, with Nicole McGowen and Chris Arndt competing to win Ward Two; Michael Thompson, Jerry Aldridge and Ronnie Herrera contesting for Ward Three; and Anthony Foster running against Gary Herrera for Ward Five. Additionally the Vidor Independent School District has four trustee positions up for grabs, with Paul Davis and Kimberly Crossley competing for Position One; Lance Loftin and David Camp for Position Three; Gina VanDevender and Jalissa Green-Droddy for Position Four; and Rodney White and Mike Marion for Position Five.
Bridge City voters can expect to see a $57 million bond proposition on their May 7 ballots. The measure’s passing would result in a new middle school constructed for 6th through 8th grade students. Voters will also have the chance to approve a $14 million bond that would enable the district to build a new high school career and technical facility. Two Bridge City Independent School District future trustees are running unopposed, but the Place Three position is contested by Peggy Prosperie and Rebecca Rutledge.
Orange voters will decide between Charles Thomas and Caroline Hennigan in the race for Place 5 on the city council.