Local Matters




 

 

There are three important elections of note mentioned in this week’s Pleasanton Express.

First, the Pleasanton ISD Tax Ratification Election held at 831 Stadium Drive, Pleasanton, Texas. Early voting is through August 21, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Election Day is August 25. PISD will ask voters to decide whether the district can swap 13 cents from the I&S tax rate to the M&O tax rate. Moving those 13 pennies would have no effect on an individual’s total tax rate and would yield PISD an additional $2 million. Why move the pennies? Passing the TRE allows the district to swap pennies providing PISD with additional revenue. The tax “swap” provides a way to increase PISD funding from the state without increasing the overall tax rate. The money gained will go to safety and security measures, help retain and attract quality staff by providing competitive salaries and provide for additional mental health support.

The election date has been set for the runoff between Pete Flores, Republican, Pleasanton and Pete Gallego, Democrat, Alpine. September 18 is the date of the special election. Early voting begins September 10-14. The candidate elected will hold the seat until it expires in 2021. There are only 35 days left in the second leg of this special election race to the Texas State Senate. Please look for a new Op-Ed feature on page 5A with columns from Julie Hilberg, Atascosa County Democratic Chair and Marian Knowlton, Atascosa County Republican Chair. They will be writing these columns through the November 6 election (the third election of note) in an effort to inform, educate, motivate and encourage individuals to get involved and get out the vote. Let your voice be heard. As Dwight D. Eisenhower so aptly said, “The future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.”

NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES is the Publisher of the Pleasanton Express. You may E-mail her at nwilkersonholmes@pleasantonexpress.com.

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