Whereas: The board managing the Houston Independent School District (HISD) has placed two bonds (Proposition A and Proposition B) totaling $4.4 billion on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot;    

Whereas: This constitutes the largest school bond in Texas history, and – including both principal in interest – will cost taxpayers $8.8 billion to pay back;  

Whereas: Bonds always constitute a tax increase and raise the already high debt burdens of local governments – and thus should only be entered into after intense scrutiny and with proper oversight safeguards in place; 

Whereas: Previous HISD bonds have been rife with corruption, bribery, pay-to-play scheme, kickbacks from contractors to HISD decision-makers, cost overruns and poor management; 

Whereas: Houston taxpayers are already facing financial difficulties from high inflation, increasing housing costs, a weakening job market and other economic difficulties caused by the poor leadership of President Joe Biden;  

Whereas: Student enrollment in HISD has dropped 12 percent over the past seven years; 

Whereas: HISD, so long plagued by poor fiscal management and lavish administrative spending, should demonstrate a record of fiscal discipline before asking taxpayers to trust it with a $4.4 billion loan; 

Therefore Be It Resolved: The Harris County Republican Party opposes the $4.4 billion HISD bond package (Propositions A and B) and urges HISD voters to reject them.