AUSTIN, Texas — Early voting begins Monday, October 20, in Austin, where residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on 17 statewide propositions, including the contentious Proposition Q. This measure proposes raising property taxes to support the city’s proposed budget, sparking debate among people in Austin.
At a recent Save Austin Now meeting, organizers expressed opposition to higher taxes. Steven Brown, Democratic co-chair of Save Austin Now, emphasized the importance of voting. “I want citizens to know that they need to make a plan to go out and vote,” he said.
Proposition Q could increase the average homeowner’s property taxes by 20%, with the city stating that the funds would support city services and the historic proposed budget. Austin City Councilman Ryan Alter highlighted the potential consequences if the proposition fails. “If this doesn’t pass, imagine anything that the city provides that you care about, it gets worse,” Alter said, citing concerns about park maintenance, homelessness, and public safety response times.
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Matt Mackowiak, Republican co-chair of Save Austin Now, argued against the proposition.
“We just simply don’t believe that making it more expensive to live in Austin is in any way positive for the people that live here.” He warned that the impacts of Prop Q would extend beyond property taxes, affecting the cost of living in the city.
Steven Brown echoed Mackowiak’s sentiments, describing the issue as non-partisan.
“Most families have a budget. The city council should have a responsible budget,” Brown said.
Discussions on Proposition Q will continue, with Austin City Councilman Marc Duchen and other officials set to voice their opposition at an event in East Austin tomorrow.