[Texgreen] PLEASE VOTE Yes on Constitutional Amendment Prop 1 (SJR-13)

[Margaret]

To everyone who lives in Texas:

Please get out and vote -- by May 12 -- this constitutional
amendment is really important for anyone who pays property taxes --
and who is, or plans someday to be, 65 years old or is disabled!!

Be sure you are aware of a constitutional amendment that will be on
the ballot at the May election. It is an amendment to correct an
error made by the lawmakers when they voted for a reduction in
school property taxes in 2005.

When the lawmakers voted for a one-third reduction school property
taxes beginning in 2006 and to be completed this year, they forgot
about the homestead exemption for senior citizens and people with
disabilities.

The state constitution caps school property taxes for homeowners 65
years and older and those who are disabled. However, they DID NOT
get the same reduction when the property tax cut for schools was
voted on two years ago.

So an amendment is on the May ballot to correct this error.

The problem is that most voters who are younger than 65 or not
disabled probably won't even notice the amendment or care. PLEASE
get out and vote for this amendment if not for yourself then for
your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends. We would really
appreciate your getting the word out to all your friends and
families to vote for this amendment. The fear is that with a low
voter turnout, the amendment could very well not pass.

So, please, please pass the word and VOTE for the constitutional
amendment.

Early Voting will take place
April 30 - May 5, from 7am to 7pm
May 6, from noon to 6 pm and
May 7 - May 8, from 7am to 7pm

Election Day is Saturday, May 12 from 7am to 7pm.

So there are plenty of options to stop by a polling place and vote.

PLEASE VOTE!!!

Explanatory Statement for the Proposed May 2007 Constitutional
Amendment
PROPOSITION 1 (SJR-13)

SJR 13 would amend the Constitution to authorize the legislature to
adjust the public school ad valorem tax or tax rates for taxpayers
who are aged 65 or older, or are disabled, and who are owners of an
exempted homestead. The amendment would thereby allow the
legislature to provide tax relief to such elderly or disabled
taxpayers who did not receive tax relief as a result of the school
tax rate reduction passed in the 79th Legislature, 3rd called
session.

The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The
constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for
a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem
taxes that may be imposed for public school purposes on the
residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect any
reduction in the rate of those taxes for the 2006 and 2007 tax
years."

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2007conexp.shtml