When Texas voters head to the polls beginning Monday, they will see eight proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on the ballot. And while voters will ultimately have to make their choices on all eight proposed amendments, there is one amendment that sticks out as particularly bad in the eyes of our Publisher’s Committee.
Proposition 2, which would allow counties to finance infrastructure and transportation projects in blighted areas, is simply a license for counties to issue more debt. This would mean higher taxes and even more debt issuances for millions of county taxpayers across our state, including right here in Potter and Randall counties. It is not inconceivable that the term “blighted areas” could be manipulated by counties to allow for debt issuances on projects that are outside of the scope of what taxpayers might consider reasonable. Additionally, since county officials across our state — including in Potter County where the tax increases and debt issuances under County Judge Nancy Tanner seem to be never-ending — cannot seem to tighten their belts and live within their means, this item would essentially all but guarantee that taxes would be going up.
Generally, government debt is something that taxpayers should be extremely cautious about supporting. And, in the case of Proposition 2, voters would be opening up a brand new can of worms if they vote for the item, allowing for the creation of even more new debt at the expense of their wallets.
The choice on Proposition 2 is really quite simple in the eyes of our Publisher’s Committee. If voters want to fight against high taxes, debt, and wasteful government spending, there is only one option on the ballot.
We recommend voters vote against Proposition 2 and prevent county governments from issuing more debt and continuing the never-ending cycle of yearly tax increases.
Early voting runs from October 18-29. Election Day is November 2.
Please note: A publisher’s committee endorsement does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Amarillo Pioneer’s advertisers or staff. An endorsement of one candidate does not represent a criticism of other candidates running unless otherwise stated. Endorsements may be offered in additional races. A primary endorsement does not necessarily indicate a general election endorsement, as local general election endorsements will be handled on a case-by-case basis.