INFORMATION ABOUT PROPOSITION Q
Proposition Q is a Tax Rate Election (TRE) and will be on the upcoming November Ballot. This will affect all Austin residents who pay property taxes. The ANA wants to provide you with information and links so you can learn more about Prop Q before you head to the polls.
Key Dates:
2025 GENERAL ELECTION ★ NOVEMBER 4TH ★ EARLY VOTING: OCT. 20 –31
Background:
Information from the League of Women Voters website.
On August 13, 2025 Austin City Council adopted a $6.3 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year that relies on a property tax rate at 57.4 cents per $100 of taxable value, which is 5 cents above what the state law allows without voter approval. A Tax Rate Election asks voters to decide whether the city can adopt a property tax rate higher than the state’s voter- approval rate.
➤ If approved: The higher rate applies this year and becomes the base for future years.
➤ If rejected: The rate defaults to the lower voter- approval rate, requiring the city to reduce spending.
View the LWV Voters Guide
October 16th Online Forum :
Our neighbors in the North Austin Civic Association (NWACA) Civic Engagement Committee are hosting an online forum to offer information about the upcoming Tax Rate Election (TRE), also known as Proposition Q. You must register at the link below to join.
NWACA virtual TRE information forum:
Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Register for the Zoom link at this link
—> The Zoom link for the forum will be sent to you a few days before the online forum
Additional Resources:
The list from the NWACA website
1. Message from Mayor Watson about the TRE: here
2. August 14 City press release on 2026 budget: here
3. Video interview with Ora Houston, former D1 Council Member, opposing Prop Q: here
4. Video interview with Robin Rather, opposing Prop Q: here
5. Video interview with Mark Nemir, owner of Dirty Martin's Place, opposing Prop Q: here
6. Video interview with Steven Brown, opposing Prop Q: here
7. Austin Chronicle Article about content of the TRE: here
8. position statement from Austinaffordability.com, opposing Prop Q: here
9. August 2024 article in Community Impact about the TRE: here
10. City of Austin document of items covered by the TRE (later amended): here
11. City of Austin document amending prior list, changing items from ongoing to one-time:here
12. Web site opposing Prop Q, with trends graphs: here
13. Opportunity Austin post about TREs in Austin, not just City TRE: here
14. Kickoff video for the Love Austin campaign, pro-Prop Q: here
15. short blurb in support from AFSCME Local 1624: here
16. blog post in favor of Prop Q at Foundation Communities: here
17. coalition statement of 80 organizations supporting Prop Q: here
18. September 30 Fox News story about Prop Q: here
19. Austin Housing Coalition home page and letter of support for Prop Q: here
20. Analysis of Prop Q by Opportunity Austin: here
21. Statement by Austin Apartment Association opposing Prop Q: here
22. Post by several City Council members in favor of Prop Q: here
23. Video interview with Ellen Wood, former Chair of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, opposing Prop Q: here
24. Video interview with Council Member Marc Duchen opposing prop Q:here
25. Statement of Austin Neighborhoods Council opposing Prop Q: here
26. Resolution of the Austin Central Labor Council supporting Prop Q: here
27. Impact on small business, from Opportunity Austin: here
28. September 30 press release from Cares Not Cuts: here