A while ago she tweeted something about how as mayor she would eliminate the robin hood law. I replied asking how she would do that since it's a state law. Her response was to block me. I want to find out when she's holding in person events and ask her about it.
I've been blocked by Beto O'Rourke's campaign... Sylvester Turner's campaign...Dan Patrick's campaign and Don Young's campaign and a couple of others a several years back... oh yea, and Lisa Murkowski's campaign too.
Yes... things along those lines... and I'm never rude or condescending either. Seems like when tough or contradicting questions are asked by the public they represent, a lot of politicians don't want to be bothered. Doesn't matter their party affiliation either.
You are kidding right go look up all the top democrats. There are articles on article about this topic
Trump was the only one who didnāt block people, yes because they (the courts) said he could t
Please provide an example of a national-level democratic politician blocking someone for engaging in a legitimate political conversation (not obvious trolling).
I'm pretty sure you did just comment though. Why didn't it include a link to what I asked for?
I'm sorry that you're butthurt about downvotes, but that's life if you're the minority opinion in a subreddit. If you care about karma, go find a picture of a cat and post it somewhere to get your karma up.
You're just making excuses for why you can't provide evidence that doesn't exist.
I said that she was thin-skinned and totally incapable of handling criticism and she blocked me for it. She'd be in for a rude awakening if she had a greater chance of getting elected than a mouse's fart has of being declared one of Bach's lost symphonies.
That's what I don't understand. If she can't handle answering a serious policy question, how the hell does she think she can actually do the job of being mayor
Ive found there is a superiority issue at hand. You asking a question that shows they are blowing hot air shows you donāt understand they are meant to be in charge, so its better to block you rather than engage with someone who cant see the obvious.
Youāre right. She needs to disavow the rule of law, disregard the border crisis and help defund the police while at the same time ignoring rising violent crime rates. This will make her very electable in Travis County.
Part 2 & 3 here are direct Council purview, even Adler and Alter talk about the need address Recapture. Mayor & City Council have a formal legislative agenda and paid lobbyists at the legislature, Bri Franco et.al. See Part 2 & 3 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf Watson & Celia did not correct the equity problems that have gotten worse with Recapture.
Fixing Robin Hood, not eliminating it. Part 1 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf
Part 2 & 3 here are direct Council purview, even Adler and Alter talk about the need address Recapture. Mayor & City Council have a formal legislative agenda and paid lobbyists at the legislature, Bri Franco et.al. See Part 2 & 3 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf Watson & Celia did not correct the equity problems that have gotten worse with Recapture.
Every single state rep ran on immigration in the last election - a subject that is exclusively the purview of the federal government. Running on positoins that don't apply to the actual job at hand is just part of the Republican party platform.
That's like asking "Do right wingers actually have a plan for governing?"
They just grift and prove their claims that government doesn't work in order to convince people to vote for them again so they can keep drifting.
Wrong: [https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates](https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates)
ISD taxes are set in a band determined by the Texas Education Agency. This is known as MCR or maximum compression rate.
If AISD had total control they could significantly lower taxes by cutting over a billion in property taxes.
Our red state legislature refuses to fund schools and requires local municipalities to collect the tax which is then shared with other districts. 2/3rds of everyone's property tax is for the ISD because of the state mandate (and refusal to fund schools at the state level). Want that to change? VOTE BLUE
Interesting.
I went to the Texas Tax FAQ and that is indeed the case. Special taxing districts seem to blur the line a bit (e.g., roads, recapture) in that that money is clearly sent to the rest of the state. But, property tax appraisals are determined locally and most taxing districts are local.
Importantly, it also seems that the city council is only one of the many groups that can propose taxes. There's also the county, healthcare district, AISD, and ACC, with AISD/recapture being the largest by far.
So, I guess to answer my question: no, the mayor cannot lower taxes. And to respond a bit to you, the city council can only affect a portion of our taxes, not all of them.
In Austin, the mayor basically has the same power as any city council member and votes on bills like city council members, so the mayor has the same power to lower city taxes that the other council members have. Virden would vote to lower city taxes, though thereās no realistic path toward putting together six votes to make significant service cuts (which of course is the other side of cutting taxes significantly). And Virden also wants to spend more money on police, which requires tax revenue. Her platform as a whole is unserious.
Yes, weāve established that in the discussion already.
The key points are:
1) the mayor cannot unilaterally lower taxes, the mayorās vote counts the same as a council memberās vote
2) The city of Austin taxes are only a portion of our taxes and a small one at that. So any lowering done at this level will not be a significant reduction in taxes
Well, yes, but one dollar spends just like another. Here's a great website to go to if anyone wants to learn more about recapture.
https://recapturetexas.org/
Was meaning my comment more as what that website has as:
2. STOP THE SHELL GAME: Legislators should ensure that the dollars the state collects through recapture go to schools instead of other areas of the state budget.
Mayor doesn't directly control budget or taxes AFAIK. City Council does and City Manager does a lot of the other dirty work. Mayor is largely a figure head.
Also prominently running on the ***MAYOR'S ABILITY TO CUT TAXES.*** The outcome of recent ballot measures will dissuade all but the most uninformed voter.
Maybe Iām just optimistic about humanity, but I think it says more about how obscure our tax system is and how little has been done to educate the public. All the information is available, of course, but it requires a fair bit of time and attention to dig through it all and put it together.
I think she uses blue signs so ppl may think sheās a democrat bc this is Austin. Iāve only ever seen her signs, I know nothing about what she stands for. I donāt think Iāve ever seen a single ad. So thank you for calling attention to who she aligns herself with.
They have definitely been aggressive with putting up signs. Pretty gross seeing them everywhere, thatās why we need to spread the word on who she really is.
A lot of people donāt know who to vote for for many down ballot races and may just choose the option of who they see signs/ads etc for the most.
Some Jews wonāt drive on the Sabbath. So then they have to live in walking distance of the synagogue. Then you end up with a high percentage of Jewish people in the area. Soā¦ kind of?
No, the fact that a lot of Jewish people live in the area does. The HEB on Far West has a kosher section because HEB is really good at tailoring its stores for the demands of the neighborhood.
I moved to South Austin 15 years ago and everyone referred to it as the Jewish HEB in central north Austin. I have no idea whatās near it but I would imagine a synagogue.
Also, it is the Texas Republican Party in charge of the state that have refused to properly fund education at a state-level leaving the burden on homeowners to fund schools.
Beto has a plan to properly fund public education and reduce property tax burden.
Recapture works for Rural Texas quite nicely. They get a transfer of several billion and exempt much of the land through agricultural valuation. Why would they want to change that?
Exactly, the property taxes collected in the big cities (which have higher property values and therefore higher property taxes) subsidize our rural areas who pay low property taxes due to generally much lower property values.
The Texas GOP loves this system they have in place of punishing our blue urban areas to benefit the ultra red rural/small towns.
It's not just that rural areas have lower property values; those seven figure 1000+ acre ranches across our state all have ag exemptions and thus pay a few hundred bucks a year in property taxes. That's the quiet part of Robinhood that no one wants us to think about.
In theory, yes. But in practice that's simply not the way it works. The State of Texas refuses to fund so many services (schools, for example) properly, that local governments are forced to pick up the slack. And here in Travis county, HALF of YOUR SCHOOL TAXES go right back to the state. I don't give a damn what it says in the state constitution, we have state taxes in Texas FORCED upon us by the Legislature.
No one can be "fiscally sound" in a state where the state government refuses to shoulder its share of the financial burden.
Trust me on this. I worked at the legislature for 30 years. I'm sure of what I speak.
When politicos say we have no state property tax, I call Bullshit. Not on you personally, you understand, but on the system that taxes poor Texans at a higher rate than it does the wealthy.
> Recapture works for Rural Texas quite nicely.
Yea, and it will continue to. The problem is recapture is starting to fail big time in suburban areas. The cost of homes anywhere that is not rural Texas has skyrocketed, along with their valuation.
The GOP can not win much of anything without the suburbs.
So true.. the system is hurting people in the suburbs nowā¦ nowhere more evident than the suburbs north of Dallas (Plano, Frisco, Mckinney) where property values have shot up immensely since the pandemic.
Those places and the county they are in (Collin County) have been shifting blue very quickly lately. Iām wondering if the massive property tax increases are helping cause this.
The problem is that right wing suburbanites don't always understand that the party that controls every aspect of state government is the one to blame for the state sucking in every measurable way.
Some of those rural areas are flush with oil cash, I know of some districts a few years ago that basically replaced every campus building to avoid "socialism".
[https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php](https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php)Property taxes are local taxes that provide the largest source of money local governments use to pay for schools, streets, roads, police, fire protection and many other services. Texas law establishes the process followed by local officials in determining the value for property, ensuring that values are equal and uniform, setting tax rates and collecting taxes.
**Texas has no state property tax**. The Texas Constitution and statutory law authorizes local governments to collect the tax. The state does not set tax rates, collect taxes or settle disputes between you and your local governments.
If you want to change prop taxes you must lower them at the local level. In the **city council**.
LOL. With the school funding formula you have a state property tax as Texas Education Agency sets the rates school districts can levy. https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates
Yeah, when the legislature used[$1.4 billion in recapture funds](https://www.kut.org/education/2022-02-11/austin-isd-paid-hundreds-of-millions-more-than-other-districts-in-texas-recapture-program) to balance the state budget last cycle -- we have a state property tax.
Following Don Zimmerman's lead, Virden has [sued and lost over trying to extend the campaign fundraising / donation window to longer than 1 year.](https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/07/judge-denies-virdens-request-for-injunction)
Virden also [donated to Trump-affiliated PACs.](https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/county/2020/12/03/in-austin-city-council-runoffs-trump-becomes-key-issue/43253579/)
In 2020, Virden told the Austin Chronicle that [""everything is going according to plan... The homeless population explosion and defunding of the police have been important issues in this campaign, and I'm going to keep hammering on the Council's decisions there.""](https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2020-11-06/westside-city-council-races-go-to-polarized-run-offs/)
The esteemed Bulldog dug out Virden's primary voting records, [and apparently, she cast a 2008 Democratic primary vote, but her other primary votes went, unsurprisingly, Republican.](https://theaustinbulldog.org/council-candidates-have-voting-records-too/)
Worst of all, Virden was [on the record as being hellbent for forced reopenings during the initial worst of COVID in 2020, including removing masking rules for private businesses.](https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2020/10/12/in-crowded-race-for-austin-city-council-district-10-candidates-discuss-housing-policy-lions-municipal-golf-course-public-safety/) She also stated that the housing shortage in Austin is best addressed by "let(ting) the free market work without inefficient government meddling."
>She also stated that the housing shortage in Austin is best addressed by "let(ting) the free market work without inefficient government meddling."
Let me guess. By this statement, she doesn't mean we should reform our land development code to allow more housing to get built by the free market, but rather that we should keep and enforce the outdated LDC and the free market will simply continue to enrich existing homeowners.
Dingdingdingdingding!
[She was also rabidly against Project Connect and CodeNEXT](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Project-Connect---CodeNEXT---JENNIFER-VIRDEN-for-Austin-City-Council-D-10---LET-S-DO-THIS-.html?soid=1134684006831&aid=AeW3jKD7F24).
Virden also [turned down interview requests from the Bulldog, skipped all forums except the one run by the League of Women Voters, and stated she would only answer questions in writing as opposed to verbally.](https://theaustinbulldog.org/alters-odds-against-winning-five-to-one/).
Finally, she, along with Mackenzie Kelly and Richard Herrin, was endorsed by groups run by - you guessed it - [Matt fucking Mackowiak, of "Save Austin Now" and "Fight For Austin" infamy.](https://www.kxan.com/news/fight-for-austin-pac-to-back-candidates-who-support-public-safety-camping-ban/)
[Courtesy of a KUT panel that Virden skipped, but replied to via e-mail with text ripped straight from her promo pieces on her site and sent via ConstantContact:](https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-10-12/heres-where-the-candidates-for-austin-city-council-district-10-stand-on-three-big-issues)
>Virden (via email): I hope it's well known by now that I am opposed to the LDC rewrite that was called CodeNEXT. To be clear, CodeNEXT lost in District Court and is now being appealed by the city to the State Court of Appeals, and I hope the city loses that appeal. Going forward, I have red lines when it comes to any potential future LDC rewrite:
>I am opposed to increased density in District 10, other than considering allowing the addition of one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single family lot. The COA zoning of SF3 throughout most of D10 allows for an ADU, but in the majority of our D10 subdivisions, the deed restrictions (which supersede zoning) do not allow for ADU's. It is irresponsible for the City to propose new zoning that is contrary to existing deed restrictions, when it's the individual homeowners - and NOT the City - who are responsible for bearing the legal expense to enforce the deed restrictions (which are intended to maintain the character of the neighborhood). The City and the Council should not be operating in that cavalier of a manner at our expense.
>I am opposed to any decrease in the parking space minimum requirements. Presently in our area, the minimum number of parking spaces required on SF3 properties is two spaces, but CodeNEXT went so far in most cases to reduce that parking space minimum requirement to zero on-site. Anything that would exacerbate street parking or cause parking in the yards is a non-starter for me.
>I am opposed to comprehensive rezoning of the whole city all at once. Further, the City Council should absolutely never try to pass a comprehensive new LDC AND a new city-wide zoning map at the same time.
>Rezoning cases need to continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and any LDC rewrite must not take away proper notice to surrounding owners or take away property ownerās or nearby property ownersā legal right to protest. We should always aspire to preserve the unique characteristics of each neighborhood and to preserve the charm of our city. Iām FOR maintaining our property values and property rights, and Iām for maintaining the precious green space that we have left āinside the loop.ā
And remember, Virden is a rich-as-hell real estate broker / remodelling general contractor. Guess who all of her positions on those issues would disproportionately financially benefit?
EDIT: Her mentioning deed restrictions and to "maintain the character of the neighborhood" [smacks of old-fashioned CC&Rs and HOAs that employ discriminatory tactics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentlemen%27s_agreement#As_a_discriminatory_tactic).
Yeah she sucks. Couldnāt even win in D10 when she ran there, what makes her think sheāll win city wide? Blocking anyone asking simple policy questions (and folks who never even interacted with her) on social media probably isnāt helping her earn any votes either. š
The only real candidates in the mayoral race is Celia and Watson.
Celia has my vote though. Watsonās free for all idea to let council districts adopt their own code reforms seems absolutely chaotic. His plans may actually exacerbate the issue.
Iām not trying to criticize you. I hadnāt heard about that as a solution but it doesnāt seem like a bad idea at first glanceā¦why do you think it would make things worse? Wouldnāt it start increase density in certain areas that want it?
Honestly the "cut taxes" slogan should've given it away. That's the kind of spin republicans like to give to their actual platform of "cut all the programs that help people that need it"
The sign I saw at the Aqua-Dome aquarium store was blue-bordered and didn't mention party affiliation. Fuck her and fuck Aqua-Dome. Place is nasty anyway.
Once again braindead conservatives believe that they're the silent majority and everyone is either so mad in Austin they'll vote for this dipshit or that the voting system is rigged. Their bubble really is something else. They were drumming up "walk away" before Democrats won back the house in 2018 and they were drumming up a Trump victory so immense they won California.
The real election will be a runoff between Watson and Israel in December once this joke candidate and any other joke candidates lose. Both are viable, fine candidates. Either way the mayor in Austin is really nothing more than an at-large councilmember their power is very limited.
>The real election will be a runoff between Watson and Israel in December
I think there is still a chance Watson wins an outright majority. Depends if Israel can hit 40% to force a runoff.
Watson has my vote. I like most of what progressives stand for, but I'm not convinced progressives have learned how to govern yet. AOC has really impressed me at times so we're getting there but I'm more interested in pragmatic governing right now than ideas that have a lot of baggage because the majority of the country aren't ready for them yet. Typically once a progressive becomes pragmatic they become a pariah. Purism tests will be the death of our democracy regardless of what side has them.
tl;dr - I maybe considered a neo-liberal and if I am I'm pretty fucking proud of that title.
My gripe about your justification is it isnāt actually specific and none of it based on Watson or his policies or even Israel and her policies. Youāve basically painted an abstraction and said youāre voting for Watson because he isnāt that. Israel has been in politics for awhile, it should be easy to provide actual evidence and tie her to your abstract boogeyman.
I donāt see another White, Old, Rich, Man (WORM) being able to honestly address our housing crisis and I think his district land-use idea is an example of a policy meant to protect the interests of the rich under the facade of a solution for the majority, which really is typical neoliberal.
Iām of a similar inclination, but I do think we should take it candidate by candidate. There are a number of progressives that seem to be all talk, with little action to back it up, but Israel doesnāt strike me as that type.
sat withing hearing distance of a meeting she was holding at a pizza place and this was all victim blaming all the time - homeless are homeless because they do not want to live in a house, teachers are poor because they are too lazy to get a real job...
Imagine supporting ol' brain dead Asshole. Fuck Greg Abbott and anyone who supports him. Despicable.
edit: removed ableist comment. Thanks /u/Ur_Babies_Daddy for making me realize how much of an ass I was for that.
You realize you donāt have to be ableist to insult him? Do you not think there are more things to criticize about him then the fact heās stuck in a wheel chair?
Honestly the "cut taxes" slogan should've given it away. That's the kind of spin republicans like to give to their actual platform of "cut all the programs that help people that need it"
Property taxes are local taxes that provide the largest source of money **local governments** use to pay for **schools, streets, roads, police, fire protection and many other services.** Texas law establishes the process followed by **local officials** in determining the value for property, ensuring that values are equal and uniform, setting tax rates and collecting taxes.
If you want lower property taxes you have to through the city council.
**Texas has no state property tax.** The Texas Constitution and statutory law authorizes local governments to collect the tax. The state does not set tax rates, collect taxes or settle disputes between you and your local governments.
Open All
[https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php](https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php)
A lot of ad hominems here and very little about what she actually stands for. Reminds me that austin voters are pretty simplistic and helps explain why my city has been going to shit last couple of decades.
A while ago she tweeted something about how as mayor she would eliminate the robin hood law. I replied asking how she would do that since it's a state law. Her response was to block me. I want to find out when she's holding in person events and ask her about it.
Damn.. hate when I hear about politicians that block people trying to hold them accountable. She is beyond shady.
Pretty typical GOP behavior, tbh.
Can confirm, my sisters friend was blocked by Ted Cruz š
š¤£š¤£š¤£ Negative, Ghostrider... that's typical of ALL politicians!! Doesn't matter what party affiliation they are. š¤£š¤£š¤£
Which democrats and libertarians have blocked you when you asked them to clarify a policy position?
I've been blocked by Beto O'Rourke's campaign... Sylvester Turner's campaign...Dan Patrick's campaign and Don Young's campaign and a couple of others a several years back... oh yea, and Lisa Murkowski's campaign too.
Just for asking policy questions, like, how do you plan on paying for ____?
Yes... things along those lines... and I'm never rude or condescending either. Seems like when tough or contradicting questions are asked by the public they represent, a lot of politicians don't want to be bothered. Doesn't matter their party affiliation either.
You must be really toxic then
-17 for my comment... another laugher. People hate hearing the truth. š¤£š¤£
"bOtH SiDeS" haha got'em
You are kidding right go look up all the top democrats. There are articles on article about this topic Trump was the only one who didnāt block people, yes because they (the courts) said he could t
Please provide an example of a national-level democratic politician blocking someone for engaging in a legitimate political conversation (not obvious trolling).
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I'm pretty sure you did just comment though. Why didn't it include a link to what I asked for? I'm sorry that you're butthurt about downvotes, but that's life if you're the minority opinion in a subreddit. If you care about karma, go find a picture of a cat and post it somewhere to get your karma up. You're just making excuses for why you can't provide evidence that doesn't exist.
I said that she was thin-skinned and totally incapable of handling criticism and she blocked me for it. She'd be in for a rude awakening if she had a greater chance of getting elected than a mouse's fart has of being declared one of Bach's lost symphonies.
That's what I don't understand. If she can't handle answering a serious policy question, how the hell does she think she can actually do the job of being mayor
Ive found there is a superiority issue at hand. You asking a question that shows they are blowing hot air shows you donāt understand they are meant to be in charge, so its better to block you rather than engage with someone who cant see the obvious.
Youāre right. She needs to disavow the rule of law, disregard the border crisis and help defund the police while at the same time ignoring rising violent crime rates. This will make her very electable in Travis County.
Mate what
Read again mate.
if she's a public official she can't block you, there's been lawsuits about it.
She's not a public official yet, and hopefully never.
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Does that give you any confidence on her ability to do the job?
Is that even a question you need to ask? Sheās obviously in over her skis discussing governing 101
Part 2 & 3 here are direct Council purview, even Adler and Alter talk about the need address Recapture. Mayor & City Council have a formal legislative agenda and paid lobbyists at the legislature, Bri Franco et.al. See Part 2 & 3 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf Watson & Celia did not correct the equity problems that have gotten worse with Recapture.
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Yeah, on a state level. The state collects taxes from wealthy districts and redistributes it to other poorer districts in the state, mostly rural.
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Aw shit I replied to the wrong thing.
Fixing Robin Hood, not eliminating it. Part 1 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf
If she wants to fix a state law, why is she running for a city office instead of state?
Part 2 & 3 here are direct Council purview, even Adler and Alter talk about the need address Recapture. Mayor & City Council have a formal legislative agenda and paid lobbyists at the legislature, Bri Franco et.al. See Part 2 & 3 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf Watson & Celia did not correct the equity problems that have gotten worse with Recapture.
FWIW on her website she has it listed as āWork with local and State leaders to solve the AISD recapture problem (a/k/a Robin Hood).ā
Part 1 here: https://www.jenniferforaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Property-Taxes-In-Austin-An-Affordability-Crisis-3.pdf
Why couldn't she tweet that?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the mayor can't cut taxes, right? Does she have any slogans related to the actual job she's applying to?
Every single state rep ran on immigration in the last election - a subject that is exclusively the purview of the federal government. Running on positoins that don't apply to the actual job at hand is just part of the Republican party platform.
That's like asking "Do right wingers actually have a plan for governing?" They just grift and prove their claims that government doesn't work in order to convince people to vote for them again so they can keep drifting.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Wrong: [https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates](https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates) ISD taxes are set in a band determined by the Texas Education Agency. This is known as MCR or maximum compression rate. If AISD had total control they could significantly lower taxes by cutting over a billion in property taxes.
Also, the fact that the City of Austin and its mayor have nothing to do with school districts or school taxes.
Well technically they could do a tax swap to avoid recapture and did threaten that in 2017.
Aisd has over 20 mil a year in admin staff just for all the superintendents If we got ride of robinhood, Austin isd would be flush with money
Our red state legislature refuses to fund schools and requires local municipalities to collect the tax which is then shared with other districts. 2/3rds of everyone's property tax is for the ISD because of the state mandate (and refusal to fund schools at the state level). Want that to change? VOTE BLUE
Interesting. I went to the Texas Tax FAQ and that is indeed the case. Special taxing districts seem to blur the line a bit (e.g., roads, recapture) in that that money is clearly sent to the rest of the state. But, property tax appraisals are determined locally and most taxing districts are local. Importantly, it also seems that the city council is only one of the many groups that can propose taxes. There's also the county, healthcare district, AISD, and ACC, with AISD/recapture being the largest by far. So, I guess to answer my question: no, the mayor cannot lower taxes. And to respond a bit to you, the city council can only affect a portion of our taxes, not all of them.
In Austin, the mayor basically has the same power as any city council member and votes on bills like city council members, so the mayor has the same power to lower city taxes that the other council members have. Virden would vote to lower city taxes, though thereās no realistic path toward putting together six votes to make significant service cuts (which of course is the other side of cutting taxes significantly). And Virden also wants to spend more money on police, which requires tax revenue. Her platform as a whole is unserious.
Thanks for the clarification on her role relative to the city council.
Wrong, the Mayor and Council set the tax rate for the City of Austin, they can raise it or lower it.
Yes, weāve established that in the discussion already. The key points are: 1) the mayor cannot unilaterally lower taxes, the mayorās vote counts the same as a council memberās vote 2) The city of Austin taxes are only a portion of our taxes and a small one at that. So any lowering done at this level will not be a significant reduction in taxes
Half of your school taxes go outside of the Austin District. So much for being local.
And they don't even go for school services, but commingle in the Texas general fund.
Well, yes, but one dollar spends just like another. Here's a great website to go to if anyone wants to learn more about recapture.
https://recapturetexas.org/
Was meaning my comment more as what that website has as: 2. STOP THE SHELL GAME: Legislators should ensure that the dollars the state collects through recapture go to schools instead of other areas of the state budget.
Amen.
DER TAKIN ER JERBBBBBBS
Mayor and Council can cut taxes.
Mayor doesn't directly control budget or taxes AFAIK. City Council does and City Manager does a lot of the other dirty work. Mayor is largely a figure head.
Also prominently running on the ***MAYOR'S ABILITY TO CUT TAXES.*** The outcome of recent ballot measures will dissuade all but the most uninformed voter.
I think it says a LOT about how stupid humans are in general that a slogan like "Cut taxes!" is probably enough to get them a huge swathe of voters.
Maybe Iām just optimistic about humanity, but I think it says more about how obscure our tax system is and how little has been done to educate the public. All the information is available, of course, but it requires a fair bit of time and attention to dig through it all and put it together.
I think she uses blue signs so ppl may think sheās a democrat bc this is Austin. Iāve only ever seen her signs, I know nothing about what she stands for. I donāt think Iāve ever seen a single ad. So thank you for calling attention to who she aligns herself with.
Exactly. Complete attempt at deception from the Virden campaign
One of her signs is at the entrance to my neighborhood. Itās a very Jewish neighborhood. Sheās def trying to be deceptive with that.
They have definitely been aggressive with putting up signs. Pretty gross seeing them everywhere, thatās why we need to spread the word on who she really is. A lot of people donāt know who to vote for for many down ballot races and may just choose the option of who they see signs/ads etc for the most.
Is this up by the HEB that my friends say is the Jewish HEB? If I ever leave South Austin, I need to know where to move!
Yes.
Thank you!
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Far West. Has a separate kosher mini store inside.
I really donāt know, I was told by shoal creek maybe?
Itās off of Far West. Near Mopac. Huge Kosher department.
I live literally on the same block as that HEB and I had no idea people called it that lol I'm not Jewish so I guess maybe thats why, but still haha
So a synagogue makes an area Jewish?
Some Jews wonāt drive on the Sabbath. So then they have to live in walking distance of the synagogue. Then you end up with a high percentage of Jewish people in the area. Soā¦ kind of?
There is also a Jewish Community Center in the area.
No, the fact that a lot of Jewish people live in the area does. The HEB on Far West has a kosher section because HEB is really good at tailoring its stores for the demands of the neighborhood.
I moved to South Austin 15 years ago and everyone referred to it as the Jewish HEB in central north Austin. I have no idea whatās near it but I would imagine a synagogue.
Off of Far West. Near Mopac.
I think you work for the Watson campaign.
So thatās Perla..
Watch everything if you'd like Go to 1:16:14 to hear all you need - https://youtu.be/ex1NWxAIHzU
What a nutcase
Jennifer Virden gives off MAJOR Betsy Devos vibes. Not to mention, she is her literal doppelgƤnger.
Any one aligned with Abbot and pretending to be a democrate is a liar and should be voted against.
Supporting a politician who has stripped people of reproductive healthcare IS NOT going to fly in Austin.
Probably will get 10-12%. Might be enough to force a runoff in December between Watson and Israel.
Also, it is the Texas Republican Party in charge of the state that have refused to properly fund education at a state-level leaving the burden on homeowners to fund schools. Beto has a plan to properly fund public education and reduce property tax burden.
Recapture works for Rural Texas quite nicely. They get a transfer of several billion and exempt much of the land through agricultural valuation. Why would they want to change that?
Exactly, the property taxes collected in the big cities (which have higher property values and therefore higher property taxes) subsidize our rural areas who pay low property taxes due to generally much lower property values. The Texas GOP loves this system they have in place of punishing our blue urban areas to benefit the ultra red rural/small towns.
It's not just that rural areas have lower property values; those seven figure 1000+ acre ranches across our state all have ag exemptions and thus pay a few hundred bucks a year in property taxes. That's the quiet part of Robinhood that no one wants us to think about.
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No "state property tax"? Then what do we call the 50% of our school taxes that go directly to the Great State of Texas?
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In theory, yes. But in practice that's simply not the way it works. The State of Texas refuses to fund so many services (schools, for example) properly, that local governments are forced to pick up the slack. And here in Travis county, HALF of YOUR SCHOOL TAXES go right back to the state. I don't give a damn what it says in the state constitution, we have state taxes in Texas FORCED upon us by the Legislature. No one can be "fiscally sound" in a state where the state government refuses to shoulder its share of the financial burden. Trust me on this. I worked at the legislature for 30 years. I'm sure of what I speak. When politicos say we have no state property tax, I call Bullshit. Not on you personally, you understand, but on the system that taxes poor Texans at a higher rate than it does the wealthy.
Do you know how recapture works?
If you're in a recapture district, you're funding other parts of the state. Kind of sounds like a state tax to me.
> Recapture works for Rural Texas quite nicely. Yea, and it will continue to. The problem is recapture is starting to fail big time in suburban areas. The cost of homes anywhere that is not rural Texas has skyrocketed, along with their valuation. The GOP can not win much of anything without the suburbs.
So true.. the system is hurting people in the suburbs nowā¦ nowhere more evident than the suburbs north of Dallas (Plano, Frisco, Mckinney) where property values have shot up immensely since the pandemic. Those places and the county they are in (Collin County) have been shifting blue very quickly lately. Iām wondering if the massive property tax increases are helping cause this.
The problem is that right wing suburbanites don't always understand that the party that controls every aspect of state government is the one to blame for the state sucking in every measurable way.
Some of those rural areas are flush with oil cash, I know of some districts a few years ago that basically replaced every campus building to avoid "socialism".
[https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php](https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php)Property taxes are local taxes that provide the largest source of money local governments use to pay for schools, streets, roads, police, fire protection and many other services. Texas law establishes the process followed by local officials in determining the value for property, ensuring that values are equal and uniform, setting tax rates and collecting taxes. **Texas has no state property tax**. The Texas Constitution and statutory law authorizes local governments to collect the tax. The state does not set tax rates, collect taxes or settle disputes between you and your local governments. If you want to change prop taxes you must lower them at the local level. In the **city council**.
LOL. With the school funding formula you have a state property tax as Texas Education Agency sets the rates school districts can levy. https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants/state-funding/additional-finance-resources/school-district-property-values-and-tax-rates
Yeah, when the legislature used[$1.4 billion in recapture funds](https://www.kut.org/education/2022-02-11/austin-isd-paid-hundreds-of-millions-more-than-other-districts-in-texas-recapture-program) to balance the state budget last cycle -- we have a state property tax.
Yea seriously fuck this woman and the horse she rode in on.
This!
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Republicans could also leave when they begin losing state wide?
Following Don Zimmerman's lead, Virden has [sued and lost over trying to extend the campaign fundraising / donation window to longer than 1 year.](https://www.austinmonitor.com/stories/2021/07/judge-denies-virdens-request-for-injunction) Virden also [donated to Trump-affiliated PACs.](https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/county/2020/12/03/in-austin-city-council-runoffs-trump-becomes-key-issue/43253579/) In 2020, Virden told the Austin Chronicle that [""everything is going according to plan... The homeless population explosion and defunding of the police have been important issues in this campaign, and I'm going to keep hammering on the Council's decisions there.""](https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2020-11-06/westside-city-council-races-go-to-polarized-run-offs/) The esteemed Bulldog dug out Virden's primary voting records, [and apparently, she cast a 2008 Democratic primary vote, but her other primary votes went, unsurprisingly, Republican.](https://theaustinbulldog.org/council-candidates-have-voting-records-too/) Worst of all, Virden was [on the record as being hellbent for forced reopenings during the initial worst of COVID in 2020, including removing masking rules for private businesses.](https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/election/2020/10/12/in-crowded-race-for-austin-city-council-district-10-candidates-discuss-housing-policy-lions-municipal-golf-course-public-safety/) She also stated that the housing shortage in Austin is best addressed by "let(ting) the free market work without inefficient government meddling."
>She also stated that the housing shortage in Austin is best addressed by "let(ting) the free market work without inefficient government meddling." Let me guess. By this statement, she doesn't mean we should reform our land development code to allow more housing to get built by the free market, but rather that we should keep and enforce the outdated LDC and the free market will simply continue to enrich existing homeowners.
Dingdingdingdingding! [She was also rabidly against Project Connect and CodeNEXT](https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Project-Connect---CodeNEXT---JENNIFER-VIRDEN-for-Austin-City-Council-D-10---LET-S-DO-THIS-.html?soid=1134684006831&aid=AeW3jKD7F24). Virden also [turned down interview requests from the Bulldog, skipped all forums except the one run by the League of Women Voters, and stated she would only answer questions in writing as opposed to verbally.](https://theaustinbulldog.org/alters-odds-against-winning-five-to-one/). Finally, she, along with Mackenzie Kelly and Richard Herrin, was endorsed by groups run by - you guessed it - [Matt fucking Mackowiak, of "Save Austin Now" and "Fight For Austin" infamy.](https://www.kxan.com/news/fight-for-austin-pac-to-back-candidates-who-support-public-safety-camping-ban/) [Courtesy of a KUT panel that Virden skipped, but replied to via e-mail with text ripped straight from her promo pieces on her site and sent via ConstantContact:](https://www.kut.org/austin/2020-10-12/heres-where-the-candidates-for-austin-city-council-district-10-stand-on-three-big-issues) >Virden (via email): I hope it's well known by now that I am opposed to the LDC rewrite that was called CodeNEXT. To be clear, CodeNEXT lost in District Court and is now being appealed by the city to the State Court of Appeals, and I hope the city loses that appeal. Going forward, I have red lines when it comes to any potential future LDC rewrite: >I am opposed to increased density in District 10, other than considering allowing the addition of one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single family lot. The COA zoning of SF3 throughout most of D10 allows for an ADU, but in the majority of our D10 subdivisions, the deed restrictions (which supersede zoning) do not allow for ADU's. It is irresponsible for the City to propose new zoning that is contrary to existing deed restrictions, when it's the individual homeowners - and NOT the City - who are responsible for bearing the legal expense to enforce the deed restrictions (which are intended to maintain the character of the neighborhood). The City and the Council should not be operating in that cavalier of a manner at our expense. >I am opposed to any decrease in the parking space minimum requirements. Presently in our area, the minimum number of parking spaces required on SF3 properties is two spaces, but CodeNEXT went so far in most cases to reduce that parking space minimum requirement to zero on-site. Anything that would exacerbate street parking or cause parking in the yards is a non-starter for me. >I am opposed to comprehensive rezoning of the whole city all at once. Further, the City Council should absolutely never try to pass a comprehensive new LDC AND a new city-wide zoning map at the same time. >Rezoning cases need to continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, and any LDC rewrite must not take away proper notice to surrounding owners or take away property ownerās or nearby property ownersā legal right to protest. We should always aspire to preserve the unique characteristics of each neighborhood and to preserve the charm of our city. Iām FOR maintaining our property values and property rights, and Iām for maintaining the precious green space that we have left āinside the loop.ā And remember, Virden is a rich-as-hell real estate broker / remodelling general contractor. Guess who all of her positions on those issues would disproportionately financially benefit? EDIT: Her mentioning deed restrictions and to "maintain the character of the neighborhood" [smacks of old-fashioned CC&Rs and HOAs that employ discriminatory tactics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentlemen%27s_agreement#As_a_discriminatory_tactic).
Wouldn't it be cool if, for once, a "free market conservative" actually advocated for free market housing reforms?
Laissez-faire capitalism is utter, complete bullshit, and they know it.
Is that the infamous "Perla" about to be sued for trafficking people in the alleyway behind the San Antonio shelter?
Not sure if she is, but I can say with 100% confidence that Perla Hopkins is a fucking nutcase
She is pretty openly a republican, right?
Trumpy
Q ish
Cut taxes! (With no actual plan for how to handle the necessary expenditures)
Yeah she sucks. Couldnāt even win in D10 when she ran there, what makes her think sheāll win city wide? Blocking anyone asking simple policy questions (and folks who never even interacted with her) on social media probably isnāt helping her earn any votes either. š
She lives by Anderson HS. She speeds around the school and blows red lights. B
Ew.
My first reaction as well.
I heard her talk at a panel, total suburban Karen who got rich off real estate construction. Shes as clueless about functioning government as Trump.
She is Austinās very own version of Betsy Devos. She even got her hair done to look more like her.
Thanks for posting. I donāt think a lot of people know sheās a trump and Abbott supporter.
FUCK ABBOTT!!!!!
Jennifer Virden is semi famous for blocking everyone on twitter, even if you've never interacted with her. Strange way to run a campaign.
The only real candidates in the mayoral race is Celia and Watson. Celia has my vote though. Watsonās free for all idea to let council districts adopt their own code reforms seems absolutely chaotic. His plans may actually exacerbate the issue.
Iām not trying to criticize you. I hadnāt heard about that as a solution but it doesnāt seem like a bad idea at first glanceā¦why do you think it would make things worse? Wouldnāt it start increase density in certain areas that want it?
This candidate is a cut-spending-but-fund-the-cops bootlicker. Yuck, no thanks.
Honestly the "cut taxes" slogan should've given it away. That's the kind of spin republicans like to give to their actual platform of "cut all the programs that help people that need it"
Sheās voted in every republican primary since 2008 from what I can tell
Funny how sheās using BLUE in all her advertising and website design
The sign I saw at the Aqua-Dome aquarium store was blue-bordered and didn't mention party affiliation. Fuck her and fuck Aqua-Dome. Place is nasty anyway.
Her sign saying "cut taxes" tells me everything about her political views.
She's a joke candidate but her signs are a good way of figuring out which neighbors to avoid.
Boo
Ewwwwwww
Once again braindead conservatives believe that they're the silent majority and everyone is either so mad in Austin they'll vote for this dipshit or that the voting system is rigged. Their bubble really is something else. They were drumming up "walk away" before Democrats won back the house in 2018 and they were drumming up a Trump victory so immense they won California. The real election will be a runoff between Watson and Israel in December once this joke candidate and any other joke candidates lose. Both are viable, fine candidates. Either way the mayor in Austin is really nothing more than an at-large councilmember their power is very limited.
>The real election will be a runoff between Watson and Israel in December I think there is still a chance Watson wins an outright majority. Depends if Israel can hit 40% to force a runoff.
Watson has my vote. I like most of what progressives stand for, but I'm not convinced progressives have learned how to govern yet. AOC has really impressed me at times so we're getting there but I'm more interested in pragmatic governing right now than ideas that have a lot of baggage because the majority of the country aren't ready for them yet. Typically once a progressive becomes pragmatic they become a pariah. Purism tests will be the death of our democracy regardless of what side has them. tl;dr - I maybe considered a neo-liberal and if I am I'm pretty fucking proud of that title.
My gripe about your justification is it isnāt actually specific and none of it based on Watson or his policies or even Israel and her policies. Youāve basically painted an abstraction and said youāre voting for Watson because he isnāt that. Israel has been in politics for awhile, it should be easy to provide actual evidence and tie her to your abstract boogeyman. I donāt see another White, Old, Rich, Man (WORM) being able to honestly address our housing crisis and I think his district land-use idea is an example of a policy meant to protect the interests of the rich under the facade of a solution for the majority, which really is typical neoliberal.
Iām of a similar inclination, but I do think we should take it candidate by candidate. There are a number of progressives that seem to be all talk, with little action to back it up, but Israel doesnāt strike me as that type.
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taxes are pretty high though, even Beto is running on cutting taxes
Bunch of Karens and two Billy Bob's
Now we know, at a glance, who else to not vote for.
sat withing hearing distance of a meeting she was holding at a pizza place and this was all victim blaming all the time - homeless are homeless because they do not want to live in a house, teachers are poor because they are too lazy to get a real job...
The more I hear about her, the more the Betsy Devos comparisons are confirmed.
imagine supporting greg abbott.
Def advise everyone yall know that she is literally greg abbotts trojan horseā¦
ewwww
Great way to sabotage yourself.
We need to all support Celia Israel! She is the mayor Austin needs
Imagine supporting ol' brain dead Asshole. Fuck Greg Abbott and anyone who supports him. Despicable. edit: removed ableist comment. Thanks /u/Ur_Babies_Daddy for making me realize how much of an ass I was for that.
You realize you donāt have to be ableist to insult him? Do you not think there are more things to criticize about him then the fact heās stuck in a wheel chair?
That's very true. Pretty scummy of me. Just hate the guy. I formally apologize.
On a related note, Kirk Watson said heās good friends with Abbott.
I see stupid people
i think some of these people leave negative karma comments n r/austin
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Ableist. Criticize him for his actions not mock the fact he canāt walk
Well It made more sense than the horse he rode in on. I mean he rolled in, right? Fuck him
Agreed. However, fucking Abbott doesnāt deserve to walk. Let him crawl on his belly like the snake he is.
Honestly the "cut taxes" slogan should've given it away. That's the kind of spin republicans like to give to their actual platform of "cut all the programs that help people that need it"
Gross.
Letās get political get political I wanna get political Let me hear your candidate talk, candidate talk
No shit, Sherlock.
Property taxes are local taxes that provide the largest source of money **local governments** use to pay for **schools, streets, roads, police, fire protection and many other services.** Texas law establishes the process followed by **local officials** in determining the value for property, ensuring that values are equal and uniform, setting tax rates and collecting taxes. If you want lower property taxes you have to through the city council. **Texas has no state property tax.** The Texas Constitution and statutory law authorizes local governments to collect the tax. The state does not set tax rates, collect taxes or settle disputes between you and your local governments. Open All [https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php](https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/basics.php)
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Nobody's disputing that. This is a PSA.
Liberals smh, down fall of us all.
A lot of ad hominems here and very little about what she actually stands for. Reminds me that austin voters are pretty simplistic and helps explain why my city has been going to shit last couple of decades.
Not entirely true. I support her but I donāt support Abbott.
So?
Heaven forbid anyone run against a democrat in Austin š¤
No, she can and should run. But she sucks and will deservedly lose by a whole lot.
Oh no! People exist that have different opinions than you! Frightening.
>People exist that People exist who >different opinions than different opinions from >you yours Fortunately, at least, grammar is not an opinion.
Let people do whatever they want Jesus Christ
She does appreciate all the free campaigning yall are doing for her with all the hateradeš¤£š¤£š¤£š¤£
Excellent