Proposition W: A Charter Amendment That Weakens Local Transparency

Proposition W seeks to change Section 10.03 of the Harker Heights City Charter to state that any future charter amendment elections must follow state law. While this may sound reasonable, the amendment could lead to unintended consequences.

Why Vote No?

• Reduced Local Accountability: Instead of outlining specific requirements for charter amendments in the city’s own charter, the amendment would defer entirely to state law. This removes local oversight and makes it harder for residents to know exactly how the city will handle amendment elections.
• Loosening City Obligations: The proposed change removes specific details about public notices, election timelines, and procedures that are currently listed in the charter. The city should increase its transparency and maintain these requirements, not remove them.
• More Requirements for Residents, Fewer for the City: While residents face strict requirements for petitions and proposals, this amendment would give the city more flexibility and less accountability in managing amendment elections. This imbalance could make it harder for citizens to hold their government to high standards.

Conclusion:

Voting no on Proposition W preserves transparency and ensures the city continues to meet clear, local standards.

For more information, visit the official Harker Heights Election Page.