Archive for Texas
Recent Stories for Texas
Initiative will aim to cut subsidies to retail stores
Category: City Government · State: Texas · Source: Austin Daily Texan
On the Nov. 4 ballot, Austin residents will not only face a decision between McCain and Obama, but also whether to prevent the city from subsidizing retail stores. If approved, a new citizen-led initiative called Stop Domain Subsidies will halt any tax rebates or subsidies provided by the city to retail stores. City officials designed the subsidies to generate more tax revenue by attracting more retail stores. In its last meeting, the city council approved the initiative's wording for the Nov. 4 ballot. Brian Rodgers, a local real estate investor, started the campaign in response to the 2003 city council decision to provide Endeavor Real Estate Group and its partner Simon Property Group Inc. with tax rebates for 20 years to develop retail space in Austin. In May of that year, the development company proposed to build a large mall center with 700,000 square feet of luxury retail and restaurant space called The Domain. In a 6-1 decision, council members approved the project and included a $65 million tax rebate to be provided over 20 years to the developers in the contract, Rodgers said. If Rodgers' initiative is unsuccessful, the city will also return 50 to 80 percent of the mall's sales tax to the developer. The money would allow The Domain to further generate profit.
Voters Reject Slew of Ballot Measures
Category: Taxes · State: New Jersey Texas Utah · Source: Associated Press
Cost-conscious voters rejected school vouchers for Utah students, state-sponsored stem cell research in New Jersey and higher cigarette taxes in Oregon to fund health care for uninsured children.
Opinion: Texas propositions
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: Texas · Source: Houston Chronicle
Voters should approve state propositions 1-16 on the Nov. 6 ballot
Allen residents petition council to turn down townhouse project
Category: City Government · State: Texas · Source: The Dallas Morning News
Stephanie Walton won't give up. She and some of her West Allen neighbors don't want townhouses built behind their homes, and they've launched a second petition drive to try to fight them.
Monthly Archives for Texas
- August 2008 (1)
- November 2007 (3)