HOUSTON – Citing the average Harris County’s home 36.4 percent taxable value increase in just three years, the Harris County Republican Party’s Executive Committee passed an uncontested resolution calling on the Texas Legislature to pass Senate Bill 2, by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston). The Harris County Republican Party’s Executive Committee is made up of all of the Republican precinct chairs in Harris County. No one spoke against the resolution during the Executive Committee meeting.
“In just three years, the average Harris County home has seen a 36 percent, $263 increase in just the county part of the property tax bill,” Senator Bettencourt said. “No wonder the largest Republican county party in the state endorses tax relief.”
The resolution passed by the Executive Committee expressly calls for the rollback rate to be lowered from 8 percent to 4 percent, have an automatic taxpayer ratification election on a general election date if a taxing jurisdiction adopts a rate tax above a 4% rollback, and to bring much needed transparency and accountability to the appraisal process in Texas.
“Following the Watchdog.org report of Bexar County Democratic Party Chairman Manuel Medina endorsing SB 2 over the weekend, this proves that property tax relief, simply put, is an everybody pays issue,” Senator Bettencourt continued.
The Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief held eight hearings in seven cities, heard 321 witnesses and visited with thousands of Texas property owners. An estimated 2,150 persons attended the hearings. Texans across the state testified against ever-rising tax bills and support the need for property tax relief and reform.
“From a homeowner who cannot keep up with their increasing property tax bills, to small businesses seeing their hard earned profits disappear, and big businesses moving jobs out of Texas, one thing is clear: Texans want and deserve property tax relief now,” Senator Bettencourt stated.
He added, “Governor Abbott is right when he said during his State of the State address that no government should be able to tax someone out of their home. Texans simply should not stand for it. All Texans need to support property tax relief, too.”
A copy of the resolution will be sent to all Republican legislators representing Harris County in the coming days.
