Does anyone know of a place to hear some discussion and points of view of the propositions on the Dallas ballot?

Hey y'all!

Just wanted to share a website I recently made - it's a non-profit, non-partisan voter guide for political candidates in Dallas County. It includes US Senate, US House, Texas Senate, and Texas House election candidates, summarizing their political platforms in 4 bullet points with info directly from campaign websites.

dallaspolitics.org

I'm still looking to improve it so I'd appreciate it if you could take a bit of time to scroll through it and comment if you have any feedback.

Thanks!

(note: it also happens to be named after this sub... although I swear that was unintentional)

Christmas shopping interrupted for Black Friday shoppers at NorthPark Center yesterday.

https://othersidedallas.com/2023/11/25/northpark-mall-protest/

Dallas County employee, citizen, partner data leaker, but Clay Jenkins looks lost responding to it compared to his iron fist on COVID19.

https://othersidedallas.com/2023/11/10/dallas-ransomware-data-leaked/

Early voting in the November 7 2023 Texas constitutional election begins today at 8am. Find your polling place here.

This is what’s on the Collin County Dallas ballot.

State of Texas: Proposition 1

“The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”

PROS: Prop 1 will protect a person’s right to engage in generally accepted farm, ranch, timber production, horticulture, or wildlife management practices on real property that the person owns or leases. The proposed amendment would not affect the authority of the legislature to authorize the regulation of these practices. This amendment will protect the right to farm, save family farms from the threat from nuisance lawsuits, and enhance and our food security.

CONS: This amendment will erode local control and protect agricultural big business by pushing control to the state level.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 2

“The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”

PROS: There is a child-care shortage in Texas is likely to have devastating effects on early childhood education, economic growth, and employment opportunities for parents and puts a $9 billion drag on Texas’ economy. This amendment will make child care more affordable and increase the supply of available child care.

CONS: This is another property tax exemption that will provide less revenue to our schools, cities, and county.

State of Texas: Proposition 3

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.”

PROS: There is no individual wealth or net worth tax in Texas, and this amendment enshrines the status quo.

CONS: There is no individual wealth or net worth tax in Texas, and this amendment is a dream item for billionaires who want to prevent a more progressive tax systems from ever happening in our state.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 4

“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”

PROS: Property taxes are too high in Texas and this amendment will provide $12.7 billion in property tax relief for millions of Texans by increasing the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 and a temporary appraisal cap on non-homestead properties.

CONS: This is not an equitable tax relief. Renters will get no relief, only businesses and homeowners will benefit.

State of Texas: Proposition 5

“The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

PROS: This amendment will encourage the growth and success of research universities in Texas and allow them to compete with schools in other states.

CONS: This amendment will reduce money available to The Texas Economic Stabilization (aka “Rainy Day”) Fund.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 6

“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”

PROS: The water infrastructure in Texas in much of the state needs to be updated, this amendment will invest $1 billion to upgrade our water infrastructure, conserve our state’s water resources, and identify new water sources to increase the state’s water supply.

CONS: There is an environmental downside as funds can be used on fracking water.

State of Texas: Proposition 7

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”

PROS: Two years ago our grid failed because many of Texas’ electric plants were not winterized and this amendment will provide the funds for updating our electric plants for extreme weather.

CONS: Renewable energy and non-fossil fuels are not eligible for this funding, this fund will encourage new gas powered plants at a time we should be focused on generating electricity from renewable sources.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 8

“The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

PROS: This amendments will close the digital divide for 7 million Texans who lack access to broadband internet by investing $1.5 Billion to expand internet connectivity and telecommunications, including 911, throughout Texas and will allow Texas to access billions matching federal funds.

CONS: Creating a costly new broadband fund with state taxpayer dollars is excessive.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 9

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”

PROS: Retired teachers haven’t received a cost-of-living raise almost 20 years and inflation has shrunk their pensions, this amendment will help attract and retain good teachers in Texas and thus help keep Texas schools competitive. Retirees will see a 2%, 4%, or 6% increase based on retirement date!

CONS: This amendment passed unanimously and had no opposition or criticism.

State of Texas: Proposition 10

“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”

PROS: Texas has a high effective tax rate medical and biomedical manufacturing inventory when compared to other states. Taxes on medical and biomedical manufacturing inventory discourage capital investment in and the expansion of this industry in Texas.

CONS: This is another property tax exemption that will provide less revenue to our schools, cities, and county.

State of Texas: Proposition 11

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.”

PROS: This amendment will give conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County the same authority that is available in other counties, a yes vote will support parks and recreation in El Paso.

CONS: The amendment language could create conflict with Federal entities.

State of Texas: Proposition 12

“The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”

PROS: This amendment will an unnecessary office as the state of Texas and nine counties, including Collin County, have already eliminated the office.

CONS: An elected county treasurer provides essential checks and balances on the operation of county government.

State of Texas: Proposition 13

“The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”

PROS: This amendment will alleviate present judicial turnover keeping experienced judges on the bench.

CONS: The opposition to this amendment is ageist nonsense not worth repeating.

✅State of Texas: Proposition 14

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”

PROS: This amendment will secure new parks for future generations of Texans to explore and enjoy by establishing a Trust Fund for managing Texas park properties outside of the State Treasury. Texans, and the Texas economy, all benefit from protected natural areas, state parks, and clean water. This $1 billion investment into the Texas state parks system will maintain and create new state parks, preserve our state’s nature, and wildlife for generations to come!

CONS: This amendment will put state parks outside of political control.

✅Collin County: Proposition A

“The issuance of $261,864,179 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping court facilities and juvenile and adult detention facilities, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.”

✅Collin County: Proposition B

“The issuance of $5,700,000 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping the existing Collin County Animal Shelter, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.”

✅Collin County: Proposition C

“The issuance of $13,360,685 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, expanding, and equipping Collin County Medical Examiner’s office facilities, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.”

✅Collin County: Proposition D

“The issuance of $22,450,000 bonds for acquiring, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping land for park and open space purposes, including participation in joint county-city projects, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.”

✅Collin County: Proposition E

“The issuance of $380,000,000 bonds for designing, developing, constructing, renovating, improving, extending, expanding, and maintaining roads and bridges within the county, and the levy of a tax in payment thereof.”

PROS: Collin County is growing rapidly, and it needs the infrastructure and amenities to handle a population projected to triple in the next 30 years. Putting off these capital improvements will only cost the county more in later years.

CONS: Your tax dollars are paying for that growth.

Early voting is closed for the runoff election for the Collin College Board of Trustees, but election day is this Saturday, June 10! Polls are open from 7am - 7pm, and you can see polling locations here!

Turnout is likely going to be low, so your voice matters a whole lot more this election.

Endorsements:

Collin County Democratic Party:

• Scott Coleman, Place 2
• Stacey Donald, Place 3

Collin County Republican Party:

• Jay Saad, Place 2
• Cathie Alexander, Place 3

Collin Texas Faculty Association:

• Scott Coleman, Place 2
• Stacey Donald, Place 3

Please help us understand if religious organizations are becoming involved in elections and weighing in on politics in your community by filling out the survey at the bottom of the page.
https://www.propublica.org/article/family-research-council-irs-church-status

Hello! My name is Katie, and I am a reporter in the Dallas area. In light of recent mass shootings, I am working on a story for the Dallas Morning News about how parents, schools and government can prevent teens from becoming radicalized online. If you have witnessed this kind of political radicalization through someone you know and if you are willing to talk with me about it, please message me.