No matter what you think of rail or mass transit, now is not the time to be raising taxes in the middle of a pandemic when so many people are out of work, behind on the rent or mortgage payments, and struggling to cover the basics of life.

Not only is it a tax increase during a pandemic, but at 25%, it will be the largest tax increase in our city’s history. Austin is unaffordable for most as is, but this is a new, large tax in perpetuity and will keep going up as property values increase.

Prop A will benefit developers at the expense of minority communities, accelerating the pace of gentrification, and make affordable housing even more difficult to find. This is evidenced by the fact that the largest supporters and financial contributors to the pro-Prop A campaign are large corporate developers or those who make money off of Prop A’s passage.

Prop A kills the goose that laid the golden egg by worsening affordability for all. Our cherished music venues, restaurants, bars, and small local businesses are already dangling by a thread.

People flock to Austin because of the great culture and lifestyle that we have created from our labor and investment. What happens when the businesses and people who made Austin the special place that it is close down or move away? When the unique culture leaves, so will the people who came in search of it. It’s happened in other cities across the country. Why not here?

The city and CapMetro call it an “initial investment” because Prop A does not fully pay for Project Connect. This means more taxes and borrowing are certain. And if federal funds are not received, which is increasingly unlikely as COVID ravishes our federal financial situation, Austin taxpayers will be on the hook for nearly double the amount (several billions more).