222e Travis County Taxpayers Union: Campaigning against tax increases; for tax relief
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TCTU lawsuit against illegal AISD Bond Ballot language has legs, Statesman reveals

By admin on June 7, 2013 in

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST WEEK… — the Statesman reported that the TCTU lawsuit has Austin ISD worried they won’t be able to rush to unwisely spend hundreds of millions of new Bond debt on wasteful projects.

We think it would be a great idea to get more accountability and better management from AISD, instead of more staggering debt.

Help us defend taxpayers — PLEASE CONTRIBUTE at the link below TODAY so we can increase our chances of winning in court.  It is likely we will need to appeal the case to the Third Court of Appeals – which will require so more funds for filing fees and some funds for our outstanding, courageous attorney.

http://www.tctunion.com/?page_id=57

 

THE ARTICLE:

Austin school district asks court to clear way for bond projects

Fearing entanglement in a pending lawsuit could stall more than $489 million of voter-approved bond projects, the Austin school district has taken legal action of its own.

The district Wednesday filed a petition asking the courts to validate its authority to issue the bonds — an attempt to free it from a pending lawsuit by the Travis County Taxpayers Union, the only group to publicly oppose the bonds. The suit accused the district of using deceitful language on the ballot, a charge the district has denied….

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/austin-school-district-asks-court-to-clear-way-for/nX7Wj/?icmp=statesman_internallink_textlink_apr2013_statesmanstubtomystatesman_launch

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TCTU says THANK YOU to donors and voters for saving kids from wasteful debt: AISD Bond Proposals 2 and 4 Defeated

By admin on May 12, 2013 in

The Travis County Taxpayers Union says THANK YOU to the many activists who spent their own time and money battling the wasteful AISD Bond proposals, and to our group of core donors.  A Statesman link is below; the “kids” may have been saved $400 million in debt they could have been paying off for decades.

We have one very important immediate remaining item — the lawsuit against the illegal Bond ballot language.  We need financial contributions to move our lawsuit forward.   The close election results could suggest confusion over what the Bonds actually cost.  By law (Texas Education Code 45.003), for more than a decade school districts have been deliberately removing the following words from the ballot:

“…TO LEVY AND PLEDGE, AND CAUSE TO BE ASSESSED AND COLLECTED, ANNUAL AD VALOREM TAXES ON ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT SUFFICIENT, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AS THEY BECOME DUE…”  http://austinisd.org/bond/election-information/propositions

Replacing those words with:

“…AND THE LEVYING OF THE TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF”

http://austinisd.org/bond/election-information/official-ballot

 

This allows the District to spread optimistic misinformation as “fact”.  Notice these words from the official Bond FAQ (Frequently Asked Question):

How will this bond program affect my property taxes?

The average taxpayer will pay about $70.00 a year or $5.83 monthly for a home worth approximately $200,000.  Property taxes on businesses will also increase at the same rate.  In addition, taxpayers are assured that all funding will be spent only on AISD projects, since funds raised in a bond election are not subject to recapture by the state. 

The tax rate is not expected to rise in 2013, as a result of the passage of these propositions.  A maximum of a 3.5 cent increase in AISD tax rate is anticipated over the duration of the bond program.

http://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/bond/docs/2013_School_Bond_FAQ_Bond_Basics_Spanish_English.pdf

So the District, at taxpayer expense, prints and distributes misleading “sales” information about the costs of Bonds and calls that “fact”.  However, the law says they must disclose, ON THE BALLOT, that taxes are “without limit”.  A more careful, lawyer-like reading of the FAQ statement reveals the weasel language: “will pay about“, “maximum … increase … is anticipated“.  Such words are common and expected in sales literature; in the FAQ from AISD, they are legally meaningless and deliberately deceptive.  The Bond debt repayment taxes are UNLIMITED, as a MATTER OF LAW!

We are asking for contributions to continue the legal case against the Ballot Language which we started on April 23rd.  PLEASE SEND A CONTRIBUTION of $100, $250, $50, or whatever you can afford immediately via our Donate tab on this website.  The TCTU is a small, volunteer organization battling large corporate special interests and WE NEED YOUR HELP to represent the small business, homeowner and renter who is being force to support special interest political profiteers.

You can bet that just a sure as you have a few dollars left after current taxes are collected, the round-robin tax heist from greedy local taxing entities will continue!  Be on the look-out for Austin ISD’s demand to raise your existing Maintenance and Operations (M&O) taxes, in order to pay for “new facilities” that were narrowly approved May 11th (2013).  In other words, every time taxes are raised to pay Bonds, additional taxes must be raised to “maintain” what the Bonds may create.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES AND YOUR SUPPORT!

Statesman report on Bond election:

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/all-four-of-aisds-propositions-for-892-million-bon/nXpL6/

- Prop 1 AISD Health, Environment, Equipment and Technology: Yes: 50.62 percent, No: 49.38 percent

- Prop 2 AISD Safety, Security and Relief from Overcrowding: Yes: 49.74 percent, No: 50.26 percent

- Prop 3 AISD Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations: Yes: 51.13 percent, No: 48.87 percent

- Prop 4 AISD Academic Initiatives, Fine Arts and Athletics: Yes: 48.92 percent, No: 51.08 percent

 

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Please RSVP for AISD $892 Million Bond forum May 8th

By admin on May 4, 2013 in

NOTE:  The RFC of Travis County is hosting an Austin ISD Bond forum at beautiful Steiner Ranch Steakhouse which overlooks Lake Travis.

At the May 8th RFC-TC luncheon, there is a forum on the Austin ISD $892 Million Bond election; the forum will be moderated by former Statesman journalist Laura Heinauer (education reporter), with pro-bonds SPAC Treasurer John Blazier speaking for, and anti-bonds TCTU analyst Roger Falk against.

SCHEDULE:

  • 11:30 AM — doors open
  • 11:50      – buffet lunch served
  • 12:05      – meeting called to order
  • 12:15      – Program/speaker
  • 1:00        – (promptly) meeting adjourned

NOTE:  If you RSVP to NOT have lunch, you may attend without joining the group for lunch.

Cost:

Members, $11

Non-members, $15

Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.

Membership is only $25 per year; membership dues go to offset lunch cost, promote the club, and cover minimal administration costs.  The club is governed by a Board of Directors and by-laws.  The RFC-TC was established in the summer of 2012.

 

You may RSVP on this meetup site, or send e-mail to Jeffry Lane at:

vp.membership@rfc-tc.org

512-981-7519

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AISD Bond EARLY VOTING Rally and Press Conference

By admin on April 30, 2013 in

 

AISD early vote Apr29

TCTU says “THANKS” to those who came to the TCTU rally today — those who have compassion on Austin ISD taxpayers, renters, and business owners, who are being taxed out of their homes by wasteful government Bonds that are for contractors, NOT FOR KIDS.  We also commend the media for doing an amazing job covering the story and getting the word out that THERE IS AN ELECTION going on for a billion more dollars of our money that will do virtually nothing to improve education for AISD kids.

The event was well covered – see links below!

If you haven’t already contributed to the TCTU campaign — PLEASE, click on the DONATE tab and contribute today.  Thanks!

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/Early-voting-begins-in-Travis-County-205216041.html

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22106194/early-voting-begins-for-may-11-elections-in-texas

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/rooftop-view-of-aisd-bond-repairs

http://keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/aisd-bond-package-debate-heats-up-8319.shtml

http://www.newsradioklbj.com/News/story.aspx?ID=1947907

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Press Conference Draws 5 TV Stations, KLBJ and Statesman

By admin on April 23, 2013 in

TCTU campaign launch 22-Apr 2013

TCTU “Not For Kids” Vote Against $892 million Bonds press conference:  with sign, l-r, Adam Cahn, Roger Falk, Karen Flanagan.

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22045158/battle-over-proposed-aisd-bond-package-heats-up

 

 

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“Not For Kids – Vote NO $892 Austin ISD Bonds” CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

By admin on April 19, 2013 in

19-Apr-2013

Austin, TX –
Press Advisory — Travis County Taxpayers Union (TCTU) “Not For Kids – Vote NO $892 Austin ISD Bonds” CAMPAIGN LAUNCH.

NotForKids - Vote NO AISD bonds

 

WHAT: Live Press Conference from TCTU Leaders officially launching opposition campaign; announcements on legal action and ethics complaints against illegal and unethical Austin ISD campaign activity, and certain Freedom of Information / Open Records requests to AISD regarding east Austin / minority contract business awards.
WHEN: Mon., Apr 22: at 11:00 AM.
WHERE: Travis County Commissioner’s Court, 700 Lavaca (downtown Austin)
WHY: Learn what the Austin ISD Bond opposition is doing and plans to do to educate voters in a predictably low voter turnout election which may be dominated by special interests and ask live questions. TCTU will unviel 4×8 “Not For Kids! Vote NO” signs and FAQ flyer for taxpayers, to answer FAQ from taxpayer funded AISD website.
For more information, contact Don Zimmerman, 512-577-8842
www.TCTunion.com

The Travis County Taxpayers Union was established in 2012 to represent the best interests of Travis County Taxpayers against special public and private interests demanding subsidies at the taxpayer’s expense.

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TCTU Austin ISD Bond opposition schedule

By admin on April 13, 2013 in

PRESS ADVISORY:

The following summarizes upcoming events of interest for opponents of the AISD $892 Bond proposals.

April 17th – 19th:   KVUE-TV news hour stories on the Austin ISD Bond election date and past expenditures.

April 18th:  East Austin “Conversation” on the $892 million bonds (speakers for and against);  5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Simpson United Methodist Church in east Austin.

April 22nd:  Launch of Travis County Taxpayer’s “Not For Kids” campaign against AISD wasteful Bonds to enrich contractors and special corporate interests, exposing the Bonds as profiting everyone except teachers and students.  Live Press Conference starts Mon. Apr. 22nd at 11:00 AM, at the (new) Travis Commissioners Court at 700 Lavaca.

April 29th:  Start of early voting

May 3rd:  8-day campaign finance reports due

May 8th:  RFC-TC hosts Bond Forum (John Blazier speaking for/Roger Falk against),  11:30 – 1PM, at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse; RSVPs are requested at the link below:

http://www.rfctexas.com/?page_id=120

May 11th:  Election Day

 

The Travis County Taxpayers Union will join the “Conversation” next Thursday, Apr. 18th, at the Simpson United Methodist Church in east Austin, to express opposition to the $892 million in new Bonds.

Albert Hawkins, a co-chair of the AISD Citizens Bond Advisory Committee, will also attend to speak in favor.

The news media and the public are cordially invited to attend.

TCTU and the AISD area appreciates the Simpson United Methodist Church hosting this important event.

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TCTU joins ‘Community Conversation’ on AISD Bonds, Apr. 18th, 5:30p. – 7:30p. at Simpson United Methodist Church, 1701 E. 12th Street.

By admin on April 11, 2013 in

PRESS ADVISORY:

The Travis County Taxpayers Union will join the “Conversation” next Thursday, Apr. 18th, at the Simpson United Methodist Church in east Austin, to express opposition to the $892 million in new Bonds.

Albert Hawkins, a co-chair of the AISD Citizens Bond Advisory Committee, will also attend to speak in favor.

The news media and the public are cordially invited to attend.

TCTU and the AISD area appreciates the Simpson United Methodist Church hosting this important event.

 

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TCTU’s Roger Falk on FOX 7 – where has all the AISD tax money gone?

By admin on March 20, 2013 in

TCTU’s Roger Falk explains AISD Bond waste and asks:  WHERE DID THE MONEY GO?

FOX 7 News with TCTU’s Roger Falk

As Roger says…. SHAME on AISD for deliberately picking a May election tiny-turnout date  –  about 10,000 voters, with fewer voters than AISD’s has employees (over 11,000) — and that doesn’t even include the Bond brokers, lawyers, construction companies, bankers, equipment vendors, and the host of other special interests who reap exorbitant profits from AISD mismanagement of taxpayer’s dollars.  AISD intends to maximize the special interest vote — will you help TCTU get out the message and get fed-up taxpayers out to vote?

If you haven’t already, please pledge $50 today for a campaign against AISD’s Bond!  Show solidarity with fellow taxpayers and oppose the Bond even if you don’t live in AISD — your District will be after you next, round-robin style!

Let’s remind voters that there is a WAITING LIST for better schools (like Charter Schools) that do NOT issue Bonds and raise taxes for absurd spending on existing and new buildings — these school choices can handle the modest growth WITHOUT ADDITIONAL DEBT AND TAXES!  School Districts are paying lobbyists with OUR MONEY to limit school choices, so they can intimidate voters in voting only one choice – expand the government school monopoly and the outrageous debt and taxes it brings, while delivering a sub-par education product that completely fails many students.

Right now, serious bills are pending in the House and Senate to expand school choice and make this Bond debt completely unnecessary.

Please forward this message to your lists!

 

 

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AISD’s $892 Million Bond at “no show” election date – Another Exercise in Irresponsible Stewardship

By admin on February 26, 2013 in

http://www.kvue.com/news/Taxpayers-to-vote-on-nearly-900-million-school-bond-193396821.html

http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/290642/critics-suspicious-of-aisd-bond-election

Travis County Taxpayers Union Opposes AISD $892 Million Bonds on May ballot

Feb 26, 2013 — Austin, TX

On the heels of a huge private and public propaganda campaign last fall to mislead Travis County voters into approving a 68% “Central Health District” property tax rate increase, the government round-robin robbery of property taxpayers now moves to AISD in May — just in time for the historically low turnout which maximizes the special interest vote of the government school monopoly.

The political strategy of the school district is very well established, and it’s as simple as ABC:

A.. Form a “bond advisory committee” (BAC) that presumably represents “the community”, to “study the facts”, and “make independent recommendations”.  The reality is, only persons known to be sympathetic to the political position of the District (that is, to promote and pass the Bonds) are allowed to serve on a BAC.  The “facts” the BAC is presented with are carefully screened and manipulated by the experienced school District bureaucrats.  Facts or questions regarding taxpayer affordability of the Bonds, risks of rising interest rates and declining credit ratings, possibility of declining student enrollment, likelihood of further economic recessions, alternative school choices for growth like charter schools or home schools which don’t issue Bonds, and any other such facts or concerns relevant to a truthful Bond deliberation, are discouraged or repressed;

B. Raise campaign funds from corporate donors such as architectural firms, construction companies, law firms, government bond-broker agencies, banks, developers, and other entities which may stand to profit from more un-affordable bonds; in addition, small companies sensitive to be accused of being “anti-education” can also be shaken down for small donations.  The District will affirm and supplement the campaign by releasing “educational Bond information” which amounts to illegal campaign advocacy under Texas Election Code Title 15, because it overwhelmingly presents and emphasizes only information which supports a YES vote for Bonds;

C. Attack and marginalize, publicly and privately with District resources, anyone who effectively opposes the Bonds as being “against education” and “against children”.

This strategy has worked for many decades, so why wouldn’t the government school political machine continue to exploit such unethical strategy?  Indeed it will.

The TCTU is preparing a press releasing announcing it’s opposition to the Bonds and is investigating the feasibility of an opposition campaign.   TCTU also encourages other taxpayer advocacy groups to investigate the folly of nearly doubling the AISD debt at a time when Federal and State debt has already risen to dangerous, unprecedented levels in history.

“The truth is, government school districts like AISD give taxpayers and parents too much debt and taxes, and too little learning and choice when it comes to education”, says Don Zimmerman, founder and treasurer of TCTU SPAC.  ”We agree that the government school Districts have demonstrated considerable incompetence in managing taxpayer money and ALWAYS ‘need more money’.  For example, by overpaying ‘non-teaching staff’ bureaucrats like the superintendent, and underpaying teachers, Districts use their mismanagement to pass guilt onto overburdened taxpayers; taxpayers are blamed for the problems of the District’s mismanagement.  Asking the school District to define an adequate tax is like asking a wildfire to define an adequate forest.  Taxpayers must say no to AISD Bonds or still more families and businesses will be driven from the Austin area, and school children will continue to be under served”.

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-education/aisd-trustees-ok-892m-bond-eastside-timeline/nWZmJ/

 

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