North Texas voters reject major tax and bond propositions in early results
Dallas voters appear to reject public safety propositions
Several Proposition A is also projected to fail
DALLAS - Voters across North Texas shot down several major tax and bond propositions, rejecting hundreds of millions of dollars in proposed funding for public safety, homelessness programs and a sports arena.
Dallas County property tax proposal
What we know:
Votes are still being counted for Dallas County's Proposition A, but early results show the tax hike failing with 80% of precincts reporting. The plan would have required homeowners to pay more in property taxes to help fight homelessness and fund outreach programs. It was designed to support housing and mental health treatment.
City of Dallas public safety bond
What we know:
The City of Dallas' Proposition A is also projected to fail. The city asked for a more than $440 million bond to fund police training facilities, emergency operations and the replacement of old police buildings.
The backstory:
Prop A supporters argue that the funds are necessary to finish the construction on a new Dallas police training facility at UNT Dallas, which broke ground in September. A new gun range near Dallas Executive Airport is also planned.
The Dallas city manager called the bond proposition an important step to strengthen public safety by modernizing public safety operations.
But critics don’t like the part of the bond that also moves the city’s 911 call center out of Dallas City Hall. They argue it’s the beginning of the process for the city to abandon the historic building.
What's next:
The campaign supporting the bond said it will push for better bond language next May.
Plano venue tax for Dallas Stars arena
By the numbers:
In Plano, 55% of voters cast their ballots against a special venue tax.
Proposition A would have allowed the city to add a venue tax to help pay for a new Dallas Stars arena at the Willow Bend site.
Big picture view:
Plano leaders said they will find another way to fund the project. The arena is still being built, and the Stars hope to open their 2031 season at the new facility in five years.
The Source: The information in this article comes from Dallas election returns and previous FOX 4 reporting.