Voters in Tuesday’s off-year general election will weigh more than $3.1 billion in proposed tax increases or extensions, according to a new nationwide Ballot Guide released Thursday by National Taxpayers Union.
In total, Americans will decide on 13 statewide measures and 911 local measures that directly affect their wallets, ranging from higher property and sales taxes to new local levies and bond issuances.
“These ballot measures may not generate the same headlines as political races, but they have a far more lasting effect on taxpayers’ finances,” Tommy Aiello, Senior Director of Government Affairs at National Taxpayers Union, said. “Voters deserve clear, accessible information about what they’re being asked to fund, and how much it will cost. We’re proud to provide this state and local level guide for taxpayers across the country.”
Of the estimated $3.1 billion in new taxes:
- $1.7 billion comes from higher property tax rates
- $1.3 billion from higher sales tax rates
- Millions more from other tax sources
In addition to tax increases, voters will also decide on $37.3 billion in new bond issuances, placing long-term obligations on taxpayers for decades.
State Level Highlights
- California: Voters in the Golden State will not decide on any statewide ballot measures with a direct tax or fiscal impact. However, 13 local measures will appear across 9 counties. The total net statewide revenue collections on the ballot would amount to at least $393 million in annual tax increases or extensions.
- Voters in Santa Cruz County will consider whether to impose an annual tax of $50 per parcel and a real estate transfer tax of 0.5% on properties sold above $4,000,000 to fund “climate resistance.” It would be a tax increase of approximately $1.1 million annually for 10 years.
- Colorado: Voters in the Centennial State will decide on two statewide ballot measures related to funding for the “Healthy Meals For All” school meal program. Additionally, 99 local measures will appear on the ballot across 30 counties. The total net statewide revenue collections on the ballot, including state and local measures, would amount to at least $583 million in annual tax increases or extensions. Voters will also be asked about the issuance of $1.1 billion in bonds.
- Voters in Telluride will consider whether to impose a 5% excise tax on ski lift tickets to fund local infrastructure improvements. The county has not provided a revenue estimate, but the duration would be permanent if passed.
- Texas: Voters in the Lone Star State will decide on 10 statewide ballot measures that directly impact their tax rates. Additionally, voters will be asked about 264 local measures across 55 counties. After analyzing these measures, NTU has determined that the total net statewide revenue collections on the ballot would amount to at least $280.7 million in annual tax increases or extensions. NTU also calculates there to be approximately $26.6 billion in bond measures across the state.
- Voters in Bexar County will consider a question to increase the County’s lodging tax to 2% and car rental tax to 5% to fund the local coliseum complex venture project, which includes Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center, and other San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo facilities. A separate question on the ballot will authorize use of that same revenue to construct a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs. This would amount to a permanent tax increase of $16.7 million annually.
- Michigan: Voters in the Great Lakes State will not decide on any statewide ballot measures with a direct tax or fiscal impact this year. Voters will be asked about 153 local measures across 43 counties. The total net statewide revenue collections on the ballot would amount to at least $235.2 million in annual tax increases or extensions. NTU also calculates there to be approximately $3.6 billion in bond measures across the state.
- Voters in Grout Township will consider whether to allow the town to raise the property tax levy for mosquito abatement. It represents a tax increase of $58,000 annually for two years.
- Voters in Lowell Charter Township will consider whether to renew the property tax levy, with an increase to $2.20 per $1,000 in assessed value for moth suppression. The measure represents a tax increase of $184,000 annually for three years.
Find your state in the full ballot guide.
The NTU team was unable to obtain fiscal data for 562 measures because of inconsistent or incomplete reporting across localities. The report also notes obstacles in states like Arizona, where new campaign-finance laws are so broad that they threaten to restrict nonpartisan voter education efforts. Ohio is not included in the report because of the sheer volume of taxing authorities.
Taxpayers are strongly encouraged to check with their local election authorities for additional information.
National Taxpayers Union is the only free-market organization for taxpayers that unites effective advocacy with useful research about how to limit taxes, spending, and regulation at every level and branch of government—state, federal, administrative, and judicial.