Opponents of Proposition 1 are planning to lobby the state legislature to strike down the controversial drainage fee, even after voters narrowly approved it earlier this month.
Don Hooper, who organized a political action committee blasting Prop 1, said the effort is underway. Last week, a group that included real estate executives, church leaders and car dealers met to discuss its options.
Proposition 1’s opponents argue the ballot didn’t mention a “fee” – just a “pay-as-you-go-fund” – and plan to ask lawmakers to consider restricting any drainage fee accordingly.
“The petition language is very different from the ballot language,” Hooper said.
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“Prop 1 is effectively duping the public in Houston into paying an incredibly large property tax,” said Paul Bettencourt, a Prop 1 opponent and former Harris County tax assessor.
In other words, Bettencourt and Hooper think that the voters were too stupid to know what they were approving, so they want the Lege to step in and save them from themselves. Can you imagine the reaction if red light camera proponents tried something like this? I have news for you guys: You lost. Deal with it. Thanks to Coby for the tip.
yep, I think the people knew, there was enough publicity about it. But the other side made their points more effectively apparently. The opponents should work on a referendum if they want it repealed. Or wait and see if the taxes go up enough and people decide they don’t want it and vote it out again. BTW there is still pending lawsuits on the RLC issue so the camera proponents are trying something like that. Most likely the judge won’t allow it to proceed or if so, won’t overturn the will of the voters. Like it or not on any proposition the voters have spoken.
Yep, voters have spoken. Deal with it.
I’m glad the 3 of you understand it.
Could you tell me exactly how much I will be paying a month for this drainage fee?
According to HCAD, my base area pri is 854. I have a concrete driveway and live on a curbed and guttered street.
Thanks in advance!
Or even just an estimated range I might pay each month?
Or if churches and schools will be exempt? Or some or all Walmarts?
Or how we’ll be billed and if we get to see what everyone else pays? Or if properties that don’t have COH water will be billed? Or what the consequence is for not paying?
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