Abbott: Goal is to eliminate property taxes
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/ar...b35765e4a7.html
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor Jun 3, 2023


(The Center Square) – Gov. Greg Abbott says his goal is to eliminate homeowners’ property taxes in the state of Texas. He says it’s possible to achieve over time because of the significant economic growth of the state.

All three Republican leaders, Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan, have pledged to reduce property taxes and made it a legislative priority.

They’ve also all agreed to dedicate roughly half of the $33 billion surplus, $17 billion, to provide property tax relief. The money is already appropriated, Abbott said. “Now we just need to decide how we are going to cut those property taxes.”

This is a great problem to have, he notes, when other states like California are running double-digit deficits.

However, the leaders haven’t been able to reach an agreement. With the regular session coming to a close on May 29, Abbott called a special legislative session to first address property tax relief.

On Friday, Abbott spoke at a Texas Public Policy Foundation event recapping the 88th legislative session and explaining his vision to end property taxes.

Earlier in the week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick highlighted his plan to reduce property taxes at TPPF, including a combination of reducing school district property taxes, referred to as compression, and increasing the homestead exemption.

After Abbott called a special legislative session directing the legislature to pass a property tax relief bill solely through compression, on Tuesday, the Senate and House passed separate and different bills and remain at a standstill.

Abbott on Friday reiterated that the goal isn’t just about reducing property taxes but eliminating them.-- excerpt, rest at link above --


I think the Phelan empire might have some differing opinions on that.

So, I read the rest of the article to see how he ultimately wants to get to eliminate property taxes.... the most interesting part is this...

Quote

---

Another factor, he said, is that “Texas can and must find additional ways to cut spending wherever we can. There’s a more strategic way of cutting spending and that’s by dedicating revenue to make sure that you will not spend that money in the first place. You can always dedicate revenue or cut spending to make sure we live within our means.”

---

That's the key right there... but it doesn't seem that our "Republican" legislature has any plans nor desires to actually cut spending.... considering that they just passed a blockbusting record spending "budget"...

That IS interesting, Mr. Ed.