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HOUSTON — Legislative action, public approval of propositions Nov. 8 and votes by taxing jurisdictions are adding up to $8 billion in property-tax savings for Texas, according to an area lawmaker.
During a recent news conference, state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said many Texas homeowners are seeing lower homestead property-tax bills this year, despite record rising appraisal values.
“As appraisal values continue to climb steeply across the state, there’s surprising, good news. Property-tax bills for homeowners in Austin, Houston and San Antonio are down and I’m not just talking about their (school district) school taxes, it’s the entire tax bill,” Bettencourt said.
“It takes more than the Legislature, it takes the public voting for propositions 1 and 2, which increased the homestead exemption and will cut tax bills for Texans over 65, and most importantly, it takes local elected officials to cast courageous votes for property-tax relief for taxpayers,” the senator added.
Senate Bill 2, which lowered the voter-approval rate and provided taxpayers a greater say in their city and county tax rates, and House Bill 3, which addressed school-finance reform and tax relief, are working to compress tax rates as appraisal values rise, Bettencourt’s office said.
According to Texas Taxpayers and Research Association estimates, the combined effects of SB 2 and HB 3 are saving taxpayers more than $8.2 billion this year and have saved Texas taxpayers more than $20 billion since their passing.
“For years we said help was on the way and today we can say help is here to stay,” said newly elected state Rep. Charles Cunningham, R-Humble.
“This is a high point for me to be able to return people’s money to their pocket,” said Houston Councilman Mike Knox.
According to Bettencourt’s office, this year in Harris County, taxpayers are expected to save $256 million on their county tax bills alone, and more than $750 million across all taxing units’ tax bills.
“These savings are directly attributable to the effects of property-tax legislation passed in recent sessions, and local officials standing up for property taxpayers,” a prepared release from his office said.
Houston Independent School District trustee Bridget Wade said, “We look forward to what the state’s doing to continue bringing relief to Texas taxpayers.”
“Being able to lower the tax bill to homeowners with record appraisal-value increases, that’s astonishing... it’s just what the doctor ordered,” said Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey.
The Legislature gavels into session Jan. 10.
