One thing is clear after Tuesday’s election in Austin: residents are not ready to increase city property taxes.
The majority of Austin voters rejected Proposition Q, which would have raised the city’s property tax rate indefinitely. According to KVUE, 63.48% of voters opposed the measure, while 36.52% supported it. But, what is Proposition Q about?
Proposition Q proposed increasing property taxes by five cents per every $100 in value. City officials said the measure would have generated roughly $110 million for the current fiscal year, funding homelessness prevention, public safety, parks, public health, and the city’s general fund.
In the long run, the increase could have cost the average homeowner about $300 more per year. The measure was also presented as a way to help address Austin’s $33 million budget deficit.
Meanwhile, supporters argued the tax increase was necessary to maintain essential services. Austin City Council member Ryan Alter said on Election Day, “Other states invest in homeless services. The state of Texas doesn’t do that. So it’s up to us to deliver those services because we’re on our own.”
Union member Ben Suddaby added, “If Prop Q fails, it means severe cuts for essential things that keep Austin livable. Things like making sure our fire, EMS, response times are low. When you call 911, seconds count, that’s when we need that, you know, we need to be fully staffed.”
Opponents framed the proposition as a “forever tax” and called for spending reductions instead.
Save Austin Now leader Matt Mackowiak encouraged residents to vote against it. During a watch party on Tuesday he said, “And while tonight is about stopping a bad idea from hurting people who live here, it doesn’t make things better, it just stops making things worse.”
Local business owners also voiced concerns, such as Brandon Hodge, owner of Big Top Candy Shop, who told KVUE that the tax increase could negatively impact his business: “If everyone’s price is increasing like that, they can’t afford to come in and buy a treat like candy, you know, much less food, clothing and shelter.”
