Voters Back Bush’s Property-Tax Cut

About 94% of Texas voters approved a $1-billion property-tax cut for homeowners, believed to be the largest margin of victory for a constitutional amendment in Texas history. The tax break, which triples the homestead exemption from $5,000 a year to $15,000, will save the average homeowner about $140 a year. For two years Gov. George W. Bush has pushed the effort. The son of the former president plans to run for reelection next year and has repeatedly denied that he took on the issue as a springboard for higher office. Critics say schools may suffer if the economy worsens.