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Do you support a budget at the effective tax rate so home and business owners continue to benefit from the “growth dividend” and pay the same amount in property taxes as in the previous fiscal year? How do we balance this strategy with meeting the needs of people struggling to access services due to a lack of service capacity? How do you prioritize additional funding? Where would you look for efficiencies? (Y/N; Explain)

Natasha Harper-Madison

City Council, District 1

Yes. I Support the “Austin Affordability Action Plan”. The overall plan is a good step in the right direction for people in poverty. My support of using the effective tax rate vs. setting a rate either the same as previous years or higher would largely be dependent on whether or not the budget achieves the goals that I hope to see. Additional funding should be put to its best and highest use by helping people who need it most, improving access and infrastructure and taking a regular community needs assessment by way of employing community advocates.