Sample Ballot from HAABGF

The Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund has chosen their slate of candidates and supported constitutional ammendments for the 2009 Fall election.  When you head to the polls, please consider taking this handy election-day guide…

City of Houston Elections – HAABGF Endorsed Candidates

Please note that endorsements were not made in every race. 

(i) – denotes incumbent

Mayor – Gene Locke

At Large 1 – Stephen Costello

At Large 2 – Sue Lovell (i)

At Large 3 – Melissa Noriega (i)

At Large 5 – Jolanda “Jo” Jones (i)

District A – Jeff Downing

District B – Jarvis Johnson (i)

District C – Anne Clutterbuck (i)

District D – Wanda Adams (i)

District E – Mike Sullivan (i)

District G – Oliver Pennington

District H – Ed Gonzalez (i)

District I – James Rodriguez (i)

For a previous post with more information on HAABGF’s picks and links to candidate websites, click here.

If you wish to volunteer to work at a polling location during early voting and/or on election day for any HAABGF endorsed candidates please contact Aimee at AArrington@haaonline.org.

Voters across the state will also head to the polls to consider several constitutional ammendments supported by HAABGF.  The following recommendations denoted with * include information from the Texas Apartment Association.

Regarding Propositions 2, 3 and 5, TAA says…

Turnout is expected to be low for this election and that makes every vote even more crucial. Opponents to the appraisal reform constitutional amendments have been actively spreading false propaganda in an effort to defeat Propositions 2, 3 and 5. Passage of these amendments is necessary to advance appraisal reform in this state. Please vote and encourage friends, family members and colleagues to vote too.

• There was no opposition to HJR 36, the legislation approved by the Legislature containing these constitutional amendments.
• HJR 36 was supported not only by property owners but also by local taxing entities represented by the Texas Association of Counties and the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.
• Opponents are using scare tactics and misinformation to persuade voters to oppose these amendments because they are pro-property owner and will put some accountability on appraisal districts.

Proposition 2* – FOR

Proposition 2     “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.” 

•  Makes sure a home being used for residential purposes is not appraised as if it were being used for commercial purposes
• Applies only to homesteads and not second homes or investment properties
• Prevents unfair appraisal increases and increases in property tax burden based on what a home COULD  be used for rather than what it IS used for.

 Proposition 3* – FOR

Proposition 3     “The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.” 

•  Ensures all property is treated the same and appraised the same way no matter where it is located in the state
• Provides  independent oversight of the property tax system to protect property owners from unfair treatment and to ensure appraisal districts follow the law

Proposition 4 – FOR

Proposition 4  “A constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.”

• Allows greater research dollars for universities like the University of Houston.
• The economic multipliers associated with higher education would benefit business and development in our region.

Proposition 5* – FOR

Proposition 5 “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.” 

• Allows two or more adjoining appraisal districts to voluntarily combine their appraisal review boards
• Provides a means for rural appraisal districts to ensure a qualified and knowledgeable pool of individuals are available to hear property owner appeals
• Ensures timely hearings for property owners and increases opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing

For more information on all of the constitutional ammendments, please read Andy Teas’ “Legislative Update” column in the October edition of ABODE magazine (members only).

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