Statewide May 2nd Texas Election Alert!

Gov’t Fuzzy Math:

Seniors, Bond Elections & Property Taxes

When officials say new debt won’t raise taxes on over‑65 homeowners, what they’re really doing is shifting the tax burden onto younger families — the very people trying to buy homes, raise kids, and build a future. And the burden doesn’t stop there: local businesses get hit too, which means higher prices on goods and services for everyone — including seniors.

Those “average monthly cost” numbers are calculated using the entire tax base, including seniors whose tax bills are capped. If seniors make up a large share of the district’s tax base, the “average” is artificially lowered — meaning younger taxpayers may pay far more than the advertised number in bond campaign materials. That’s not transparency. That’s tax creep disguised as a snack‑sized bargain.

The over-65 exemption freezes the maximum a senior can be charged. If a taxing entity pays off debt, refinances, or lowers the debt repayment portion of the tax rate, seniors’ tax bills can actually go down. But when new debt is added that possibility disappears! The claim that bond debt “doesn’t affect seniors” is flat out false.

When landlords get higher tax bills, those costs don’t magically vanish. They show up as higher rent, fees, or reduced maintenance. Seniors on fixed incomes feel it immediately — and so do younger renters.

Most small businesses can’t absorb repeated tax hikes. They’re forced to cut wages, cut workers, delay investments, or raise prices on everyday goods and services — including those famous “cheeseburgers.”