Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Other

Five Central Texas school districts seek voter approval for tax rate increases

Five Central Texas school districts are calling for Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATRE) to increase their Maintenance and Operations tax rates. The districts cite budget deficits from inflation and inadequate state funding as reasons for the elections.

Where
Central Texas
When
October 2026
Sources
One outlet

Taxes and money

If approved, Leander ISD's VATRE would provide $6.7 million in additional revenue; Georgetown ISD's Prop A would generate $8.4 million annually and result in a 3.5% to 4% pay increase for staff.

  • Additional revenue from Leander ISD VATRE if approved$6.7 million1 2 Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
  • M&O tax rate increase in Leander ISDthree cents per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
  • Budget reductions Leander ISD made over two years$26 million1 2 Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD
  • Estimated annual district tax bill for Leander ISD home if VATRE passes$5,1411 2 Who pays or receives it: homeowner with $460,292 taxable value
  • Leander ISD 2026-27 total tax rate if VATRE passes$1.1169 per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
  • Leander ISD 2026-27 tax rate if VATRE does not pass$1.0869 per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Leander ISD taxpayers
  • Annual revenue generated if Georgetown ISD Prop A passes$8.4 million1 2 Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
  • M&O tax rate increase in Georgetown ISDnine cents per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
  • Interest and sinking tax rate decrease in Georgetown ISDthree cents per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
  • Georgetown ISD 2026-27 total tax rate if Prop A passes$1.1106 per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers
  • Estimated annual district tax bill for Georgetown ISD home if Prop A passes$3,3811 2 Who pays or receives it: homeowner with $444,465 taxable value
  • Annual tax increase for average Georgetown ISD homeowner$7.971 2 Who pays or receives it: average homeowner
  • Georgetown ISD 2026-27 tax rate if Prop A does not pass$1.0506 per $100 of taxable value1 2 Who pays or receives it: Georgetown ISD taxpayers

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Bastrop ISDschool district seeking VATRE
  • Coupland ISDschool district seeking VATRE
  • Del Valle ISDschool district seeking VATRE
  • Georgetown ISDschool district seeking VATRE
  • Leander ISDschool district seeking VATRE

The facts

  • Five Central Texas school districts calling for VATRE: Bastrop, Coupland, Del Valle, Georgetown, and Leander ISDs.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Texas law requires VATRE when a school district seeks voter approval to increase M&O tax rate.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Districts cite budget deficits due to inflation and lack of state funding for calling VATRE.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Leander ISD made $26 million in budget reductions over past two years.1 2 Stated by 2 sources
  • Georgetown ISD's Prop A on ballot; 3.5% to 4% staff pay increase if passed.1 2 Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Leander ISD additional pennies would provide about $6.7 million in additional revenue after recapture1 2
  • Georgetown ISD VATRE needed to maintain balanced budget, preserve student programs, and increase staff compensation1 2

Sources

Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 1 not rated Only left-leaning outlets reported this Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Central Texas schools turn to voters for tax rate approval KXAN Austin Not rated, October 9, 2026
  2. Central Texas schools turn to voters for tax rate approval Yahoo Lean Left, October 9, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Fire breaks out at North Texas barbecue restaurant, causes total loss

A fire broke out around midnight Wednesday at Fire for the Lord BBQ in Greenville after the restaurant closed. The fire occurred in the back corner near firewood, smokers and ashes, destroying the restaurant. No one was hurt. The cause is under investigation by the City of Greenville Fire-Rescue Department.

Angel Espinoza, Owner of Fire for the Lord BBQ; City of Greenville Fire-Rescue Department, Investigating the fire

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Florida volleyball defeats Texas A&M in College Station match

No. 7 Florida's volleyball team defeated No. 19 Texas A&M 3-1 on Friday at Reed Arena in College Station. The Gators recorded 10 aces in the victory, including four by Taylor Parks.

No. 7 Florida Gators, volleyball team; No. 19 Texas A&M Aggies, volleyball team; Taylor Parks, Florida volleyball player and 3 more

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

Abbott hosts tailgate with DeSantis before Texas-Florida football game

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a tailgate Friday evening at the Texas Governor's Mansion before Saturday's football game between Texas and Florida. The event featured remarks from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and UT leaders, and the two governors made a bet on the game's outcome.

1 liter Dr Pepper, 1 gallon Blue Bell ice cream, 1 bottle Garrison Brothers bourbon for wager on football game

Greg Abbott, Texas Governor; Ron DeSantis, Florida Governor; Kevin Eltife, Chairman, University of Texas System Board of Regents and 3 more

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

Texas Longhorns play Florida Gators in college football game Saturday

The No. 6 Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators play a college football game Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Texas is coming off a loss to Oklahoma; Florida has lost back-to-back SEC games.

Steve Sarkisian, Texas coach; Arch Manning, Texas quarterback; Colin Simmons, Texas defensive end and 3 more

Reported by 10 outletsFound via Google News

FAA restricts unauthorized drones along US-Mexico border

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction barring unauthorized drones along the US-Mexico border up to 400 feet above ground, extending one nautical mile north of the border. The action addresses concerns about illegal drug shipments and cartel drone activity.

Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news