Slightly more than 10% of the registered voters in Texas City turned out for the special election to rollback property tax rates held yesterday. The rollback was soundly defeated, 57% to 43%.
Texas City Mayor Matt Doyle and Galveston County Democratic Chairman Lloyd Criss blamed outside influences for the divisiveness of the election.
The mayor, for instance, blames Paul Bettencourt, Harris county tax assessor-collector, and the national group Americans for Prosperity. Criss blames Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector Cheryl Johnson
Several people thought that Bettencourt was involved to increase his name recognition as he prepares to challenge Rep. Nick Lampson (D) for the CD-22 seat. CD-22 includes a small portion of Texas City but a large portion of Galveston County.
So, who voted against the rollback? Looks like it was people that are on government payrolls of one type or another.
Karl Stager, 44, said he voted against the rollback because of the money problems he knew it could cause for the city down the line.
Stager is the comptroller for Alvin Community College, according to the college’s Web site.
“This was important for all the city employees out there relying on their jobs,” he said.
There’s one. Here’s another:
Polly Mora, 33, a third-grade teacher who voted against the rollback, was one of them.
“I was a little concerned because all I could see out there were signs for the rollback,” she said. “I think what was driving this issue was a misunderstanding about all the things the city provides.”
As the number of voters on various government payrolls continues to increase, it will be harder and harder for producers in the economy to hold onto their wallets.
But realistically, it doesn’t look like voters are all that upset about their taxes, if this election and the low turnout is any indication. This will serve to embolden politicians to spend more. Which means they will take more from the producers and give more to the slackers. How much government can we afford to fund before the economy collapses? Does anyone care?
UPDATE: I received the following from someone not quite as pessimistic as me and he does make a good point.
One key point to make here– even though the vote “failed,” this is still a win, because taxpayer’s got their say. They got to determine their own future.
Also, the result undermines the argument of the pro-government crowd; apparently, you CAN trust the voters to know what is best for their community, and to approve local government receiving the funds they need to function properly (as defined by the government crowd).
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The good citizens might wake up when they receive this year’s property appraisals, but by then it will be too late to do anything meaningful. And the city government will feel empowered to raise taxes.
Paul for Congress in Dist. 22. Send Lampson packing.
Do government employees get a break on their property taxes or what??? They pay for their raises and job security by paying more property taxes. What will they do when their percentage of property tax increases is greater than their raise percentage?? It just goes to show you how many uninformed voters there are and how easily they are scared into voting against a tax rollback. Also, aren’t they operating on family budgets?? Is it alright for the government to spend beyond their means while they can’t??
The people actually voted for more taxes?
and we spend tooo much on education as it is
To All
Off-year elections = low turnout = advantage for special interest to turn out their voters.
Roll-backs and bond elections are usually held in off election years so they will get passed easily.
If Dan wanted to do some real good, the make it law that school boards, bond elections, and city elections would have to be held at the same time as national elections.
Simple
Scuze-me
The roll back was defeated because of off year elections.
Simple
This is like those stupid class action lawsuits. The company gets hit for $20 million, the lawyers get $10 million and the customers get a check for $10.
I would rather the city keep the damn money, put it into a rainy day fund and let it draw interest.
Dont waste my time with a token $10 check and then tell me there is no money to fix the potholes.
One more thing to consider.
Every time a vote like this takes place it gives fuel to the fire of those in Austin that do not want to give Texas a tax break.
Now they can point to Texas City and say:
To gregg
A $10 dollar check is a $10 dollar check. To us it seems like a little but to quote some half arsed Washington Senator
Just spend it on what? Still no fiscal accountability.
The gubment got to where they are in back pocket a little at a time I will gladly take my money back a little at a time.
Note: The election occurred during spring break. Unionized teachers off, producers relaxing with their families. I’m afraid the fix is always in.
Free the Wharton 19!
http://www.maximstench.com
You are naive if you think they will just let you have the money back with no repercussions. Its just like shooting Mongo, it will just make em mad.
gregg
I am under no illusions, have no pretenses about the gubment nor am I naive.
So just give up huh?
Sorry you fear YOUR gubment so much gregg. Sounds to me like maybe you should get madder than them.
One last thing…there in lies the problem the wrong people are experiencing the fear.
Gregg:
The government does not have a rainy day fund. You give the government money and they will spend and demand more. And when they have extra they do not necessarily spend it on something worthwhile.
Why is it a small tax increase always cost me $300.00 and a significant tax cut only nets me $3.00?
Squawkbox
Got to quit having these elections on off years but in the end its their own damn fault - if you can’t be bothered to vote - you don’t deserve a tax cut
You let them (gov)keep the $10, they leave you alone for a while.
You get it back from them, they spend the next few years trying to get it back from you somewhere else usually costing more.
Last month I got a check from some class action lawsuit settled for millions of dollars. I got a check for $9.00. Probably cost them more to process and send the damn check. What a waste.
You let the Gov. keep the $10.00 and next year they will ask for $20.00 more.
Apathy Baby!
The little brother of Anarchy!
The days of ELECT and FORGET are over.
I put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the electorate. Till the so called conservatives wake their happy arses up and get involved in just a small way like writing, calling and emailing to begin with there is not going to be any changes.
Oh I forgot conservatives have jobs and are just too busy to do that little bit. Oh and silly me, the time to make change is during the primaries.
gregg
You are a scrappy kinda guy. When was the last time you took yourself up to your Reps office and sat in his waiting room to get an audience with his/her highness? It is fun you oughta try it.
I’ve done that more than a few times and my Reps now know me by name and face.
Here is what ya do.
1. Be polite
2. Call for an appointment
3. Ask when the person you want to speak with will be in.
4. Ask for a phone call from the Rep
5. When all that fails go to their office and sit and politely wait for your Rep to show up.
I meet my Reps at the door with a cup of Starbucks for ‘em. I always tell them I am some lobbyist. Speaking quietly I asked the questions and voiced my concern as they walk into the building. Drives em nutzzzoooo.
There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Ain’t Representational Government wonderful!
You let the people vote and they backed up their elected representatives…There goes that overwhelming “tax revolt” we keep hearing about.
Of course, now the losers are saying that “the wrong people” voted….Sorry about that….
WUSRPH
Who said that?
Jolly indicated there was complaints abouts outside influence, others indicated that the result was because of off year “elections”.
I placed the blame on the loss because the so called conservatives that don’t have “time” to do anything more than work did not take time to vote. And in my usual eloquent smarmy manner I pointed out that the politicians do not fear the electorate in response to a man that said it better to let the politicians keep the $10.00 to placate them.
The anti-rollback folks won because enough of “their” right people voted while not enough of the rollback “right” people voted.
I find it disturbing that “slightly more than 10% of the registered voters in Texas City turned out”. That is a pathetic.
Oh yeah and Representational Government is wonderful. I don’t want it any other way.
In most of the instances where people ask for tax rollbacks, they want to cut revenue but have no idea where to cut expenses. This is irresponsible as it can lead to cutbacks in vital services. Maybe the voters in Texas City were smart enough to realize this.
So gadboy why is it always necessary for the cuts to come in vital services? And umm just what do you consider vital?
Politicians tactic is always threaten “certain” areas.
#4 Simple
Well, that is the prevailing wisdom. In this case, the “special interest” group was the taxpayers of Texas City. And they either did not turn out or are happy with paying taxes. That’s the end of the story.
Just over 10% of the registered voters bothered to vote in this election. No one is “too busy” to vote in elections any longer given the extended early voting periods that are now in place. There must be another reason.
There are very, very few conservative voters these days and you will see that in Harris County in 2008. I can’t even remember the last time that I didn’t vote. It’s the only real power I have. I wonder why so many choose to thumb their nose at elections?
How log does it take to go vote?
Typical Hosuston Profile
Yearly
104 trips toMcDonaldsWendysBKWhataburger
66 trips to Soccerbaseballfootballpractice
110 trips to the Grocery store
1 - 5 minute trip to lower your Taxes and keep the support going for bigger tax decreases
Jolly
I know that assuming anything is dangerous, but assuming that your “too busy” was directed at my comment I have this to say:
There are many “conservative voters” out there. However they have just given up. Quit you might say. Abused voter syndrome may be appropriate here.
As for the “too busy” comment. Frankly I think most voters are tired of “having to vote” every time they turn around. Cripes I know I am. I am already weary of the ramp up to the real silly season. Whether anyone agrees or not timing has a lot to do with these votes also. Look at when this vote took place….Duh!!! during Spring Break.
I’m afraid gregg’s attitude of let them keep the money is the prevailing wisdom out there for the very reasons he points out.
No, it wasn’t directed at you Squawk, this election just frustrated the heck out of me. Not the outcome as much as the lack of turnout. If the turnout had been 50% and it went down, then I’d probably feel better. But at least the voters got their say, I guess.
I’m just not sure that there are many conservatives out there. Oh, a lot say they are but they too want their hands to be in the cookie jar. I think that the entitlement mentality is becoming (has become?) the prevailing attitude.
Jolly
It is frustrating about the turnout yes. The folks spoke and sadly that is that.
Conservatism is not dead. “It” works every time it is tried. The problem is that there has not been a champion of conservatism step forward and “true conservatives” have basically taken the tact that I have. SCREW EM. I am not voting for anyone any longer that I know is not conservative. I am tired of being called to vote and then ignored.
The Republican Party “as in the fund raising body” will tell you that it is their job to find someone that is electable. Well lookie what they bring forth. The days of me voting just to keep a Democrat out no longer flies. At the least I know what the hell I am getting with the Democrats. Republicans are like mung. Ya never know what you are gettin. I will continue to skip blocks and let the chips fall where they may. Oh yeah and raise hell too cause my Rep does not know if I voted for him or not.
I think we need a voter ‘rosebush rule’ whenever the government or school district (or other taxer) wants to implement a “vital” service. If 60% of eligible voters don’t vote for something, then it isn’t vital.
Fire, police…I’m sure 60% or more would vote to pay taxes for.
Berry Center…doubt it.
The amount of conservatives in Texas City, a big union town, is suspect. From Dickinson south down I-45 to Galveston is liberal as can be. Had to finally get out of there 12 years ago. I try to pass on the conservative view to my buddies down there, but most are severely brainwashed. No wonder no one showed up to vote. They’ll be sorry one day.