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May 6, 2007

May 12 election includes state amendment

State constitutional changes benefitting senior citizens, disabled on ballot

By Rich Flowers

With early voting underway and election day nearing, Henderson County officials say there are still potential voters who are not aware of the state constitutional amendment election or the issue to be decided.

County Clerk Gwen Moffeit, who oversees the elections in the county, reminds voters of the important issue that is included on the spring 2007 ballot.

Accord to the Texas Secretary of State the amendment, “authorizes the legislature to provide for a reduction of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for public school purposes on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled, to reflect any reduction of those taxes for 2006-2007.”

Amanda Jeffers of State Representative Betty Brown’s Austin office said, in short, the amendment allows the legislature to compress by one third the property taxes that had been frozen for those over 65 and the disabled.

The amendment is in response to the massive property tax reform legislation passed in 2006. The 2006 bill dramatically increased the state’s share of education funding and promised homeowners a net tax cut of $1 billion in 2007. While the legislation benefited most property owners, there was no benefit for those with frozen tax rates.

Moffeit told commissioners court last week the election was set in the May 12 slot in order for the change to be in place before tax statements are sent to property owners in the fall.

Early balloting continues at the county courthouse and sub-stations in Chandler and Seven Points through Tuesday. The county has compressed the number of voting boxes from 31 to 15 for the May 12 election day.

The Athens Daily Review will publish a list of the revised voting locations prior to the election.

Henderson County’s polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 12.

———

e-mail rflowers@athensreview.com

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