Tax Arguments Set in Travis County, Texas

Oral arguments on a suit seeking to overturn last week's approval of a tax increase for Travis County, Texas's hospital district are set for this week before U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel.
The Travis County Taxpayers Union, which opposed the tax increase, is asking for a preliminary injunction to prevent the county and Central Health from officially certifying the votes. The group contends that the ballot language was confusing and violated the federal Voting Rights Act.
Attorneys from Central Health have asked the judge for a quick dismissal of the request.
Health district officials said the federal Justice Department raised no objections to the ballot proposal at a review in October.
Unofficial results show 55% of voters approved the increase to provide $35 million a year for a medical school in Austin.