A new taxing district deserves hard questions.
A CAD creates a new taxing entity and a new sales tax. A no campaign asks who governs it, what it will really fund, and what it does to the local sales tax room for good.
How do you campaign against a County Assistance District election?
Focus on what voters are being asked to create: a new district with a new sales tax. Show what it adds to a receipt, how it uses up room under the two percent local cap that other local entities might need, what the county has actually committed to fund, and how the revenue will be overseen. Then turn out tax-sensitive voters inside the boundary. URSA runs these campaigns for privately funded opposing committees.
Arguments That Work Against a CAD
A new taxing entity
Voters are creating a district, not just approving a rate. Ask who governs it and how its spending is reported.
The receipt
What the new rate adds to everyday purchases for the families who shop closest to home.
The cap
Combined local sales tax cannot exceed two percent in any location. A CAD can take room a future city, ESD or other local entity might need.
The promise versus the order
What the campaign says it will fund compared with what the order and state law actually require.
The No Campaign Playbook
Read the order
Boundaries, rate and purpose, from the commissioners court's order calling the election.
Build the universe
Likely voters inside the boundary, tax-sensitive voters first, in Culper.
Reach and turn out
Mail, digital, streaming and P2P, with a daily early vote scrub.
The county informs. The committee argues.
The district itself cannot campaign for or against its own measure (Texas Election Code 255.003). Campaigns on either side are run by privately funded political committees, and every piece carries the committee's disclosure.
How is a County Assistance District created?
The commissioners court calls an election that defines the boundaries, and the ballot asks voters to authorize the district along with its sales and use tax rate and purpose. A majority of voters inside the boundaries must approve.
Does a County Assistance District raise property taxes?
A County Assistance District is funded by a local sales and use tax collected inside the district, not a property tax.
Can a CAD sales tax be repealed?
Changes to a district's sales tax are made through the procedures and elections state law provides. Opponents should review the current statute with counsel.
Keep reading.
- CAD Tax ElectionsURSA runs voter education and advocacy campaigns for Texas County Assistance District elections, the voter approved local sales tax that can fund roads, law enforcement, parks, fire protection and economic development.
- Passing a CAD ElectionThe URSA playbook for committees supporting a Texas County Assistance District sales tax election: explain the district in a sentence, name what it funds, who pays, and turn out supporters inside the boundary.
- PACs and Issue CampaignsURSA runs advocacy campaigns for political committees supporting or opposing ESD, CAD, school bond and tax rate propositions: targeting, creative, media and turnout, with disclosures on every piece.
Your victory starts here.
Tell us where you are running or what is on your ballot. We will show you who decides it, what moves them, and what it costs to reach them.
Schedule a Consultation