Special Referendums and Bond Elections

11/1/12 7:00pm

 

Houston Independent School District Schoolhouse Bond Election

"The issuance by Houston Independent School District of $1,890,000,000 schoolhouse bonds for the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings in the district (including the rehabilitation, renovation, expansion and improvement thereof) and the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings, and the levying of the tax in payment thereof." 

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The $1.89 billion will go toward modernizing and building new schools and making improvements on all HISD campuses. The largest portion of the bond, $1.36 billion, would be used to rebuild or renovate 28 district high schools. Other projects include three new elementary schools, converting five elementary schools to K-8 campuses and improving technology among others. If the bond is passed, HISD plans to gradually increase the property tax rate, eventually reaching a maximum of 4.85 cents per $100 of taxable value by 2017, according to the HISD website.

Houston Community College System Bond Election

"The issuance of $425,000,000 school building bonds for construction, acquisition, and equipment of school buildings in the system, school sites and the levying of the tax in payment thereof." 

The $425 million will go toward all HCC campuses for renovating facilities and obtaining more modern technology, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas.

METRO Referendum Election

Metropolitan Transit Authority, Referendum on Street Improvement Mobility Program

"The continued dedication of up to 25 [percent] of METRO's sales and use tax revenues for street improvements and related projects for the period [Oct.] 1, 2014, through [Dec.] 31, 2025, as authorized by law and with no increase in the current rate of METRO's sales and use tax."

Currently, METRO's funds come from a 1 percent tax revenue, a quarter of which Harris County uses for street improvements and other projects. The METRO referendum would extend this arrangement. If it is not approved, METRO would be able to use 100 percent of its funds from the tax. Supporters of the referendum believe it is a useful way to pay off short-term debt while also funding bus and bus shelter improvements. Opponents believe the referendum will prevent METRO from using funds for future rail expansion.

City of Houston, Proposition A

Public Safety 

"The issuance of $144,000,000 public safety improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of public safety public improvements for police and fire departments and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon."

City of Houston, Proposition B

Parks and Bayou Trails

"The issuance of $166,000,000 park improvement bonds for the conservation, improvement, acquisition, construction and equipment of neighborhood parks, recreational facilities and bayous, including such green spaces along all bayous to create an integrated system of bayou walking, running and bicycle trails to enhance, preserve and protect the health of citizens, water quality, natural habitat and native wildlife and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon."

City of Houston, Proposition C

Public Health Improvements 

"The issuance of $57,000,000 permanent public improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, remediation and equipment of permanent improvements that support public health, sanitation and other essential general services of the city and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon."

City of Houston, Proposition D

Public Library

"The issuance of $28,000,000 library improvement bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of the public library system and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon."

City of Houston, Proposition E

Public Housing 

"The issuance of $15,000,000 affordable housing bonds for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and equipment of affordable housing and the levying of taxes sufficient for the payment thereof and interest thereon." 

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