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Support from our Legislators

Both our Texas State Senator Donna Campbell and our Texas State Representative Lyle Larson have been actively working to support us in our fight against annexation.  Brief updates from their offices are below:

Senator Donna Campbell

Senator Campbell sent a request to Attorney General Ken Paxton for a legal opinion regarding the City of San Antonio's upcoming ballot initiative on annexation, specifically asking whether or not the imposition of fees and fines and/or the proposed ballot language are in accordance with guidelines set by the Texas Supreme Court.  The official press release and letter to the Attorney General are shown below.





Representative Lyle Larson


Representative Lyle Larson held several discussions and meetings with officials from the City of San Antonio to address issues with the City's ballot language.  He and his office continue to monitor the process very closely and have put together some informative slides showing the targeted area of annexation as well as the list of land use controls possible under the military buffer regulation.





Annexation Proposition Update

Howdy Neighbors!

There continues to be confusion and outrage about the ambiguous ballot language in the upcoming November 6th annexation proposition.

HAA recently met with representatives from Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA), the City of San Antonio (COSA), Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) and Bexar County to address our concerns about 1) what exactly does JBSA need to implement, in our area, to protect Camp Bullis and 2) the ballot language. The following is the outcome after a lengthy discussion....

Camp Bullis Protection:  While JBSA and COSA still believe that annexation is the solution to the lighting and density (development) situation, fortunately for us, the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) does not require it.  However, Section 43.0117 goes into effect because we are within the 5 mile buffer of Camp Bullis.  This part of the new law provides "the municipality with the authority to adopt and enforce an ordinance regulating the land use in the area in the manner recommended by the most recent joint land use study."

As an example, if you plan to "redevelop" your property, you may be subjected to a permit fee as outlined in the JLUS.   There are very few fees that the JLUS defines....most of us will barely feel the pain, if at all. It's still much better than being annexed! However, we do need to continue to be watchdogs on what COSA is up to..stay involved, ask questions and support strong County leadership.

Ballot Language:  COSA presented revised language that was marginally better than the original language.  We recommended changes to better balance the appearance of fees and fines.  It turns out they listened.  Shortly after our meeting, COSA published new language that was better, but still not what we would've preferred.  While most of us agree that both ballot Options are bad, OPTION 2 is the only way to avoid Annexation.  VOTE OPTION 2 on November 6.

What can we do?
  • Get the word out to your friends and neighbors!   VOTE OPTION 2 on Nov. 6!
  • Please make a donation....anything will help.  (FACT:  To date, we have received donations for this effort from approximately 0.005% of our total annexation area population.  COSA is spending $250,000 on this election process.  Please help us compete with that!)
  • Donate here:  http://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/p/donate.html 
  • Attend the public hearing at Leon Springs Baptist Church on Boerne Stage Rd. on September 27. (Yard signs, T-shirts will be available)
  • Attend the public hearing at Aue Elementary on Oct 2.  
  • Continue to be patriots and support our military.  If you see violations of the Dark Skies Initiatives or Density Limits that JBSA needs to be successful, speak up and contact the authorities.
  • Continue to get updates at www.HomeownersAgainstAnnexation.com
  • Did we mention donations?! 

Sincerely
MichaelPStewart_Signature.png
Michael “Mike” P. Stewart
President, Homeowners Against Annexation

Vote NO ANNEXATION Option 2

By now you have likely received your letter from the City of San Antonio.  The City assured me they have gone out of their way to make it clear.   Now they wonder why nobody trusts them…it is anything but clear.

There is ongoing communication with Homeowners Against Annexation (HAA), the COSA and JBSA and other key players on changing the Ballot language.  We have a meeting next week with JBSA to understand their needs as the JLUS is not specific to what land use controls would be implemented.  We will report those findings late next week.

In the meantime, plan to vote Option 2 NO ANNEXATION.  This is the only option that avoids annexation into the City with a 23% tax increase.

A quick refresher…In order to get the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act to pass, Sec 43.0117 had to be included. This is commonly called the 5 mile military buffer.  Had this language not been included, the big City opposition to Annexation reform would have filibustered (as they did in the regular session) and killed the bill and thus we would be 1 year into a 3 year process that absolutely would have resulted in Annexation. We are looking at the language and what the City can do along with what JBSA wants/needs. I will report our findings later this month. Regardless, we will need money for outreach. Donate at http://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/p/donate.html?m=1

Make sure you are registered to vote and vote for Option 2 on November 6th.  Tell your neighbors and help them get to the polls!

We worked hard to pass the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act.  Now we have to get out and vote NO ANNEXATION!  What should you do today?


We will need donations for flyers, signs, t-shirts and mailers.  There will also be lots of opportunities for block walkers.

Signs will be available in the next couple weeks!

Make sure your neighbors know to vote NO ANNEXATION.  If you have friends and family in the proposed annexation area, make sure they get signed up at www.homeownersagainstannexation.com for updates.

The efforts of Homeowners Against Annexation, the community and YOU are the key to stopping annexation!

Sign up for updates at www.homeownersagainstannexation.com

Click here to donate so we can challenge the $250,000 the City of San Antonio will spend on this election!

Sincerely
MichaelPStewart_Signature.png
Michael “Mike” P. Stewart
President, Homeowners Against Annexation

Get Out and Vote NO on Annexation November 6th!

As we expected, the San Antonio City Council voted to put the annexation of our area up for a vote.

The election will take place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.

We have the option to vote yes on annexation or NO on annexation.  A yes vote means you will become part of the City, your property taxes will go up by 23% and be subject to ALL City regulations.  A NO vote means we will not become part of the City and not subject to taxation without representation.

When we vote NO on annexation, The Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act did include provisions in section 43.0117 for the City “to adopt and enforce an ordinance regulating the land use in the area in the manner recommended by the most recent joint land use study.”

At this time, nobody can tell us what this means.  However, I will personally be taking the lead on figuring out what the impact of this provision is to our community and communicate that in the coming month.  In the meantime, we will focus on getting the word out for the November 6th NO annexation vote!

We worked hard to pass the Texas Annexation Right to Vote Act.  Now we have to get out and vote NO on annexation!  What should you do today?




Click this map to see the area in GREEN to see who is subject to this vote.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1QqDyBI63cIdaNCtbtRqBaJr5egWa1y/view?usp=sharing

We will need donations for flyers, signs, t-shirts and mailers.  There will also be lots of opportunities for block walkers.

Make sure your neighbors know to vote NO on annexation.  If you have friends and family in the proposed annexation area, make sure they get signed up at http://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/ for updates.

The efforts of Homeowners Against Annexation, the community and YOU are the key to stopping annexation!

Sign up for updates at http://www.homeownersagainstannexation.com/

Click here to donate so we can challenge the $250,000 the City of San Antonio will spend on this election!



Sincerely,
MichaelPStewart_Signature.png
Michael “Mike” P. Stewart

President, Homeowners Against Annexation