 If you could hook up a lie detector to an e-mail, the needle would be jumping on this one.
The e-mail I’m referring to comes from a person or group who would like to torpedo a few proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution. The sender has no sound argument for defeating these amendments; otherwise, why lie?
The tricky thing is that the e-mail accurately quotes ballot language for Propositions 2 and 3. To the casual observer, that – and references to having contacted the secretary of state’s office – seems to lend the message credibility. However, the e-mail completely fabricates what the amendments will do. The claim is that these measures will “allow the state of Texas to start taxing residential homeowners.” Pure fiction.
What will the amendments actually change if passed? Proposition 2 will ensure that homesteads are appraised as homesteads. Currently, an appraisal district can employ the “highest and best use” method to value a home for some other potential use – a commercial property, for example – if it’s even possible to be used as such. Proposition 3 gives the state oversight over appraisal
districts so we don’t have dozens of different standards applied in our states 254 counties. |
When I first saw the e-mail, I thought there was a chance someone simply misunderstood these amendments. I’ve since changed my mind. In every instance I’ve seen, the original e-mail has no name attached to it. Not even an e-mail header with an e-mail address. Nothing to identify it whatsoever. It’s always forwarded and forwarded and forwarded again. And that’s the problem. To someone who’s not paying much attention, the e-mail seems plausible. When it’s forwarded from someone you know, you’re more apt to believe it.
Well don’t. Don’t let the liars get away with this. Vote for Propositions 2 and 3 on November 3. And if any acquaintances forward you that misinformation, tell them the truth. These proposed constitutional amendments should be decided on their merits, not on some cheap scare tactic.
For more information on these propositions and a few others that will benefit property owners in our state, take a look at Gabe Lopez’s article, Lost in translation. You can also view the Texas Legislative Council’s analysis of all 11 proposed amendments. |
