HARRIS COUNTY A bunch of money was spent to hold elections that determine the future of the area locally and only a stalwart few cast a ballot. It looks as if apathy is the overwhelming winner in the off candidate elections.
Consider that there are 15,730 registered voters in Crosby and only 1,245 turned out to determine one of the most important bonds issues for making Crosby ISDs future and one that could save tax payers 2¢ per $100 valuation. Actually it is 30 something votes less than the last bond election. As it went, 7.95% of voters turned out to determine if the district will sell bonds to match $109,500,000 for schools, land, buses and levy of tax payment.
So, 586 voted for the bond and 358 voted against it in the entire school district. At least 62% of the voters thought it was a good deal.
2017 also hosted a vote to determine if Crosby Municipal Utility District could levy a tax, only 111 votes were cast. Yes they can, say 61 voters and no was only 50 votes. That is 54.95% for and 45.05% against.
This year the legislature worked tirelessly to produce seven propositions. Some in detail seemed silly, others are a half step towards doing the right thing.
Voters took them seriously statewide. Proposition One exempted the partially disabled veteran or surviving spouse of one from property taxes for a residence homestead that was donated the property by a charitable organization or sold for less than market value. The proposition harmonized provisions in the Texas Constitution. It passed 110,111 to 15,776 or 87.47% to 12.53%.
Proposition 2- was about making stabilizing home equity loans. It was very serious and about needed clarification of home equity loans. It passed 96,812 to 27,981.
Proposition 3 limited the time an appointee could hold office after his term of office was concluded. It was worded like it was about term limits but had nothing whatever to do with it. It passed 96,812 to 27,981 or 77.58 % to 22.42%.
Proposition 4 allows the legislature to set a waiting period before the court may enter a judgement holding a statue unconstitutional. This passed 82,221 to 40,390.
Proposition 5 allows professional sports teams to have their charitable foundations to host raffles. It passed 81,195 to 39,785.
Proposition 6 provides an exemption from property taxes to surviving spouses of first responders killed or fatally wounded in the line of duty. But if only crippled they need to pay in full. It passed 106,323 to 18,683.
The least popular proposition was Proposition 7. It allows financial institutions to award prizes by lot to promote savings. It passed 80,073 to 42,534 or 65.31% to 34.69%.
More turn out to vote for representatives generally, to be held in two years.
