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La Porte council adopts resolution opposing Senate Bill 9's lower voter-approval threshold
Summary
Council approved Resolution 2025-20 urging the Texas legislature to reject the current form of Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax-rate trigger; council members said the resolution is preventive to avoid future reductions in the threshold that could limit municipal flexibility.
Staff explained that Senate Bill 9, as originally filed, would have reduced the voter-approval tax-rate trigger from 3.5% to 2.5% for cities over 30,000; it had been amended to apply to cities over 75,000 but staff warned the threshold could change again and recommended a statement of opposition. "We would ask that you would, consider approving resolution 2025-20 expressing opposition to senate bill 9," staff said.
Council members debated the trade-offs: some members said voters deserve a say on tax increases, while others described the resolution as a pre-emptive guard against the legislature 'creeping' down the threshold over time and constraining municipal services. The council voted to adopt the resolution (motion by Council member Engelkin; second by Council member Bentley; voice vote: unanimous). Staff said the resolution is intended to signal the city's position to state lawmakers rather than change local policy.
