Taxation Initiative
ATXTP joins diverse coalition in support of "Citizens for Tax Relief NOW" and ATXTP member, Cindy Mallette who leads the project.
The grass roots group "Citizens For Taxpayer Relief Now" ralled at Austin City Hall today. Spokesperson Cindy Mallette tells News Radio KLBJ our elected officials have a spending problem and the middle class is being forced out of town.
"Property taxes are high because the City of Austin/Travis County are spending beyond their means. So, they raise your taxes to pay for their increased spending. In fact, the City has said they are coordinating with other local government agencies on the timing of future bond elections it’s a coordinated effort to go into more debt, debt that YOU will have to pay for. Because spending and debt are out of control, this year, the average homeowner living in Austin will face a 3.9% higher tax bill than they did last year ($4,300 in FY 2015 vs. $4,138 in FY 2014 on a $196,500 home [med. home value]), on top of a 6.1% appraisal increase. And taxes have continued to skyrocket they’re up 40% from eight years ago."
Citizens
for Tax Relief Now
PRESS RELEASE Appraisals vs. Tax Rates – Which will bring immediate tax relief? 90,000 people protested their property appraisals in 2014. Yet on average, only a handful will attend budget hearings for the 5 local taxing entities that raise and spend tax dollars every year. Our goal is to have just as many people put pressure on local elected officials to lower the tax rate to the EFFECTIVE TAX RATE, create budgets that stick to the ETR, and provide better transparency/accountability for how that money is spent. Changing the appraisal system will take years and involve tremendous political wrangling at the State Legislature, perhaps even a redefining of what “equitable” means in the Texas Constitution. But we can have immediate relief for property owners by pushing for taxing entities to operate on the Effective Tax Rate. Vision: To unify grassroots, civic and neighborhood organizations; candidates for local office; and property owners behind a message of lower tax rates, responsible budgets and greater transparency. Mission: Educate, inform and equip ordinary citizens to speak out and effectively put pressure on local elected officials during the 2014 budget cycle to lower property tax rates and bring real property tax relief to area property owners. Push for transparency and accountability in the budget cycle, and expose incidents of misuse of public dollars and corruption within local government. Elect candidates who will uphold the values of CTRN as local government leaders. Provide local government trainings to teach:
§ Press releases § Letters to the editor § Blog posts We need volunteers to help setup training events, researcher, blog, organize, spread the word through social media, testify and be watchdogs. |
Initiatives
Community
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