Austin voters will have a chance to weigh in on the politically created affordability crisis in Texas’ capital city.
At issue is Proposition Q, a “tax ratification election.” State law requires the city to hold this election because the Austin City Council adopted a budget that relies on a property tax rate higher than the state-mandated “voter-approval tax rate.”
The law in question, passed in 2019, requires local governments to receive permission from voters before they can raise property taxes past a 3.5 percent threshold.
Back in August, the Austin City council approved a record setting $6.3 billion budget. This represents a nearly seven percent increase from last year’s previous record of $5.9 billion, and a nearly 15 percent increase from 2023’s record of $5.5 billion.
As a matter of perspective, Austin’s budget was $4.5 billion in 2021 and $3.3 billion in 2013. This budget represents a near doubling in just over a decade.
As adopted, Austin’s budget fully funds vagrancy services, at an amount which could exceed $100 million.
The budget also includes significant increases in various race-based programs, including a nearly 40 percent increase for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and a nearly 20 percent increase for the Small and Minority Business Resources Department.
While the council’s budget allocated record sums to vagrancy and DEI, the council simultaneously cut $9 million from the Austin Police Department’s overtime budget.
The ballot measure is supported by Mayor Kirk Watson alongside a collection of homeless advocacy groups and labor unions.
Watson’s office did not return a request for comment by publication.
The ballot measure is opposed by a bipartisan coalition of groups, such as Restore Leadership Austin, Save Austin Now, and the Travis County Taxpayers Union. Democrat trial lawyer Adam Loewy has purchased a series of billboards opposing Prop. Q.
The Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Austin-American Statesman, which frequently align politically with city hall, also oppose Prop. Q.
“Prop Q is the latest greedy grab from city government union bureaucrats who control the budgeting of all the $billions of Austin City taxes,” former Austin City Councilmember Don Zimmerman told Texas Scorecard.
“Love Your Neighbors – Vote to Reduce Their Taxes,” Zimmerman added.
During the 2025 legislative session, state lawmakers considered abolishing the Austin City Council. They also considered spending caps for local governments statewide.
While these efforts fell short, lawmakers are expected to reconsider both subjects in 2027.
Early voting begins on Monday, October 20. Election Day is November 4.
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