Stand Up For Dallas
Vote NO on Propositions S, T & U
Propositions S, T & U will hit the rewind button on progress.
The package would force City Hall to decrease funding for parks, libraries, fire and EMS. The S, T & U amendments would invite frivolous lawsuits against the city, wasting millions in taxpayer funds. They would force your elected leaders to withhold pay from or fire the city’s top administrator based on an unscientific poll of 0.1% of Dallas residents.
An outside group of non-Dallas residents paid to force Propositions S, T & U on your November ballot. Let’s unite to stop them from wasting your tax dollars and taking away your voice.
Props S, T & U: Why you should vote “against”
Proposition S
Allows for any Dallas resident to sue the City or any employees for perceived failures to comply with state or local laws. The legally questionable measure provides a financial incentive to sue, likely sparking a cottage industry of lawyers that will cost taxpayers millions.
Proposition T
Subjects the city manager, who runs the day-to-day operations, to an annual unscientific poll of 0.1% of the population to determine whether he/she will be fired or rewarded with a raise. This undemocratic measure will subject the top city official to an annual political campaign with his/her job on the line.
Proposition U
Forces the City to immediately hire 900 police officers, which current and former police officials say is self-defeating and dangerous. The measure is likely to force budget cuts to other priority areas like fire, parks, EMS, streets, the arts, libraries, and more. We all want more police. This is the wrong approach.
Top Dallas leaders are united against
the S, T & U Propositions
They say the changes will undermine Dallas’ progress, governance and safety.
“Props S, T and U will create a legal logjam that will ground Dallas government operations to a halt. ”
Ambassador Ron Kirk
Former Dallas Mayor
“These amendments are designed to fool Dallas voters into backing policies that would destroy our local government.”
Mike Rawlings
Former Dallas Mayor
“These propositions were never presented for a public hearing and debate, which shows an ulterior motive. They sound good on paper but are bad in reality. They were created by people who do not live in Dallas and have extremist reputations and motives.
Allen Vaught
Former Chair, Dallas Charter Review Commission
Former Texas State Representative
“We are all for more accountability and stronger public safety. But we need to do it the right way. Unfortunately, these propositions fall short.”
Tom Leppert
Former Dallas Mayor
“Every living former Dallas Mayor opposes this plan because for the first time in 168 years it shifts the ability to govern from elected officials to private interests — implementing one group’s spending priorities for the city and weakening the city’s legal protections, resulting in chaos and drastic cuts in basic city services for everyone else.”
Laura Miller
Former Dallas Mayor
“This is a Trojan horse aimed at slashing funding for our parks and libraries, putting Dallas’ greatest assets at risk from outsiders seeking to sow chaos and distrust.”
Bobby Abtahi
Former Dallas Park Board President
“Charter proposals S, T and U do not represent good governance. They would hamstring the ability of our local leaders to adapt to changing conditions and priorities.”
Jennifer Staubach Gates
Former Dallas City Councilmember
“Frankly, I have never seen a package of public policy proposals that are more self-defeating or more dangerous for Dallas..”
David O. Brown
Former Dallas Police Chief
“I am 100% pro-public safety, but these amendments will cripple our infrastructure, our parks, our recreation centers, our libraries, and hurt our dedicated employees.”
Tennell Atkins
Dallas Mayor Pro Tem
“S, T & U, if passed, would make city government less efficient and more expensive.”
Craig Holcomb
Former Dallas City Council Member
“These dark money propositions undermine fundamental principles of local control and representative government. These proposals are pushed by wealthy outsiders who are trying to tell the people of Dallas that their voices should not matter.”
Rafael Anchía
Texas State Representative
“I want more police to protect our neighborhoods, but you do not want to just put somebody out there with a gun and say, ‘good luck.’ this is what Propositions S, T & U propose we do, something our own police chief does not support.”
Paula Blackmon
Dallas City Council Member, District 9
“Propositions S, T, and U would be terrible for our city. They would gut essential services in our neighborhoods—fire, EMS, libraries, parks, and more—and leave our city vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits. This is bad legislation, crafted by wealthy outsiders with an agenda. I urge Dallas residents to vote NO.”
Angela Hunt
Former Dallas City Council Member
“It’s critical that we protect our taxpayers, our city services, and the quality of life for all Dallas citizens. Please vote NO on amendments S, T & U!”
Lynn McBee
Civic Leader
“I strongly urge Dallas residents to vote NO on Propositions S, T, and U. These charter amendments would impose harmful changes that could restrict our ability to grow as a community, limit our services, and stifle the progress we’ve made.”
Jesse Moreno
Dallas City Council Member, District 2
“Propositions S, T, and U create barriers that make doing business in Dallas more challenging. These requirements would constrain the City’s ability to allocate resources effectively and respond to evolving needs.”
Jamee Jolly
President & CEO
The Real Estate Council (TREC)
“These initiatives would prove disastrous for our city by fomenting costly litigation, paralyzing city government, and, in effect, ceding governance to the courts! They’re fundamentally anti-democratic.”
Rob Walters
Immediate Past Chair
Dallas Citizens Council
“Propositions S, T & U would cost our city dearly — both financially and in effectiveness. The unintended consequences would be horrendous.”
Peter Brodsky
Owner & Developer, Shops at Red Bird
Board Chair, Housing Forward
“S, T & U were led and paid for by a multimillionaire hiding in the shadows. It’s just weird he doesn’t even live in Dallas. Join me in fighting to save the soul of Dallas Democracy and VOTE NO on S, T & U.”
Omar Narvaez
Dallas City Council Member, District 6
“These amendments would transfer power from the government we elect to a few outside agitator extremists who want to run the city for themselves, not for you and me.”
Nathan Johnson
Texas State Senator
"I urge all Dallas voters to vote no on Charter Amendments S-T-U. Dallas deserves a safe and well-balanced city for all its residents. These amendments do not represent my constituents' desires. I will not let outsiders dictate the future of our city."
Zarin Gracey
Dallas City Council Member
“These amendments will actually hurt the Dallas Police Department by taking away their immunity. This will make it impossible to hire any new officers and set up Dallas for countless frivolous lawsuits. Vote NO on S, T and U.”
Adam Medrano
Former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem
Former Chair, Dallas City Council Public Safety Committee
Answers To Your Questions
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These proposed City charter amendments that will appear on the ballot in November are a blatant attempt by external interests to seize control of the city's government for personal or political gain, disregarding the needs and interests of the people. If passed, they will reverse recent progress and set back the city's effective governance and economic development.
How? By:
Interfering with the city’s ability to manage its affairs efficiently and effectively.
Limiting essential services, increasing costs and creating a less desirable environment, thus harming Dallas residents' quality of life.
Bypassing the normal legislative process.
Damaging Dallas’ image as a business-friendly city, making it less attractive to companies and talent.
Increasing costs that, combined with bureaucratic hurdles, will discourage businesses from investing in Dallas and harm the local economy.
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The last day to register to vote is Monday, October 7, 2024.
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Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Early voting will be held October 21 – November 1, 2024.
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Find your nearest voting center here.
Stand Up For Dallas and Vote “Against”