Property Tax Relief Bills Initially Approved, Now Passed by Texas Senate In Opposition to Abbott

The Senate passed two property tax relief bills that were initially approved in opposition to Governor Abbott of Texas. Reports say the bills clash with the property tax reform established by Abbott during the second Special Session.

On June 28, the Senate of the state of Texas passed two property tax relief bills— the Senate Bill 1 and the Senate Joint Resolution 1— that were initially approved in the regular and the first Special sessions. However, reports say these bills clash with the property tax reform established by Governor Greg Abbott of Texas when he scheduled a second Special Session on the same day.

According to Blankley, both property tax relief bills were filed by Republican Senator Paul Bettencourt. The senator states that the bills would provide the residents of Texas with the largest property tax cut by combining the homestead exemption and the compression for homeowners. Furthermore, SJR 1 would provide teachers with additional pay for the next two years.

READ ALSO: Gov. Abbott Calls An Immediate Special Session To Address Property Taxes, Cracking Down On Human Smuggling

Special Session for the Property Tax Relief Bills

An article in Community Impact states that Abbott’s call for a Special Session involved the legislature passing bills that abolished whichever was larger of the two property taxes that homeowners pay for in Texas.

Reports say Abbott called for the legislature to provide permanent property tax cuts by passing bills that reduced the school district’s maximum compressed tax rates. However, following the Special Session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated that the Senate will still not budge on its decision to include the Homestead Exemption as part of the property tax relief bills.

READ ALSO: Homestead Exemption Increase And Teacher Pay Raise; Texas Senate Advanced A Tax Relief Proposal!