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Proposition 1 - MCTP PAC Rating: AGAINST
Texas

Proposition 1 - MCTP PAC Rating: AGAINST

proposition

The constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization for less than the market value of the residence homestead and harmonizing certain related provisions of the Texas Constitution.”

Assertions

Vetting Committee Recommendation: AGAINST Source

Submitted by john wertz on 2017-11-05 20:59:15

Major Issues

TFR - Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

This cleanup amendment would change an amendment approved by Texas voters in 2011 and would authorize property tax exemptions for certain partially disabled veterans or their surviving spouses whose homes were donated to them by charity for less than market value.

TFR Stance: Support Proposition 1 - Our Reasoning: This is a clean-up amendment for a constitutional amendment that TFR supported in 2011 and Texas voters approved.

North Texas Citizens Lobby

1.) Is it “constitutional”? (Does it support the constitutional republic) - NO It selectively supports the life, liberty, and property of certain homesteaders, increasing the burden on those not qualifying for this or other exemptions 2.) Is there a need? (Do all the People have a need for and benefit from the proposed government intervention?) - NO Again, selectively creates a special class of homesteaders at the expense of those not qualifying for the exemption 3.) Affordability? (Can the People afford it? Is the cost equal and uniform?) NO It selectively benefits a special class of homestead property owners and increases the perpetual funding burden to non-exempt property owners. Keep in mind that this also increases the tax burden on the many veterans who rent their homes. In other words, they do not qualify for the annual cap on property appraisals for taxing purposes. The answer to the property tax question is to abolish property taxes on ALL residences to prevent everyone from being taxed out of a home. Prop 1 passed in the House 143-0, and in the Senate 31-0

Dennis Tibbs (MCTP PAC Vetting Committee Member)

AGAINST - This is another example of Government picking “winners & losers”! It “fixes” the unintended consequence of giving a tax break to disabled veterans—but only to certain disabled veterans! If the disabled veteran is lucky enough to be given a free, or near-free, home then the state will give him a (free) tax exemption. But, if the veteran with the same disability received a less-than-half-price home discount or owned his home before his injury or actually paid for his home then he gets no tax break. So, good fortune goes to the already fortunate (financially speaking). This unintended consequence should not have been unexpected! Surely, the unintended consequence of both propositions should have been anticipated. This proposition should be rejected and sent back to the legislature so that a fair & comprehensive remedy can be presented to the voters. If the State cannot afford to waive taxes for all disabled veterans then they should give equal exemptions to all similarly injured veterans. Better yet, the legislature should approve a consumption tax to replace the current unfair property tax.