Austin – Governor Greg Abbott announced that he was calling a special session of the Texas Legislature to address issues that were not resolved during the 85th Legislative Session. Among the items included in Governor Abbott’s call are property tax reform and relief for Texans. The special session is scheduled to begin on July 18, 2017 and will last for thirty days.
“Texans need property tax reform right now,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “If we are going to come together and work this summer at taxpayers expense, then let us work on relieving Texas homeowners from out of control property taxes.”
Governor Abbott listed a total of nineteen items that will be added to the special session agenda as soon as sunset legislation, needed to keep agencies like the Texas Medical Board open, is passed out of the Texas Senate. In addition to property taxes, other agenda items include legislation to increase teacher salaries, provide school choice for students with disabilities, examine ideas to reform the school finance system, keep state and local budget growth to population growth and inflation, and many others.
“Taxpayers know the truth: Property tax bills are rising too quickly,” said Senator Paul Bettencourt. “As appraised values go up, tax rates needs need to come down. I look forward to passing Senate Bill 2 as filed, including the rate rollback provisions, to bring about needed property tax reform and relief for all Texas taxpayers.”
Data shows widespread support for limiting the extent to which local governments can raise their property taxes, a concept similar to the rollback idea that the Texas Senate passed in their version of SB 2. 77% of overall voters supported that idea, with 88% of Republicans, 64% of Democrats, and 76% of Independents backing the proposal.
Senate Bill 2 was based on over fifty hours of testimony, from hearings in seven cities throughout the State of Texas.
“I am planning on tuning up Senate Bill 2 to make it better, and will be ready to file it,” concluded Senator Bettencourt.
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