Critical Steps Toward Real Relief for Texans
Earlier this week, Governor Greg Abbott unveiled his new six-step plan to rein in Property Taxes in Texas. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is pleased to see many of our policy positions featured in the release. The publication of this release highlights a renewed push to rein in this unchecked growth and bring much-needed relief to taxpayers as the governor begins his re-election campaign.
The governor’s proposal demands common-sense limits on spending and appraisals, stricter voter approvals for increases, and pathways to eliminate school property taxes on homesteads. Texans for Fiscal Responsibility welcomes this initiative in the ongoing battle for fiscal accountability, building on reforms we have long championed to protect hardworking families from excessive taxation.
Spending Limits
The plan’s core elements address systemic flaws that have allowed property taxes to surge over recent years, adding billions to Texans’ collective burden despite legislative efforts. By standardizing local spending limits to the lesser of population growth plus inflation or 3.5%, the proposal would impose uniform restraints across cities, counties, and other entities—mirroring safeguards like the state’s debt limits and deficit prohibitions. This measure directly confronts the local overspending that undermines broader relief, a concern we highlighted in our analysis, “Local Overspending Undermines Property Tax Relief—Texas Needs a Strong Local Spending Limit”
Voter Approval
Requiring two-thirds voter approval for most tax increases would make it substantially harder for local governments to impose higher burdens without broad consensus. This voter-centric approach aligns with our advocacy for direct taxpayer oversight, as outlined in “The Path to Real Property Tax Relief: Stopping Local Government Revenue Growth,” where we called for capping increases and mandating approvals to halt arbitrary hikes. Similarly, our piece “Local Politicians Oppose Asking Texans Permission to Increase Property Taxes” critiqued the current ease of revenue growth, underscoring the need for such barriers.
Rollback Elections
Empowering voters to trigger rollback elections with petitions from just 15% of registered voters in a local area would enable citizens to lower rates and constrain future spending—a powerful tool against entrenched government expansion. This provision echoes our demands for mechanisms that close loopholes allowing unapproved increases, as discussed in our coverage of legislative shortcomings.
Appraisals
To enhance predictability, the plan mandates appraisals only every five years, alleviating the annual strain on families and businesses from protests and volatility. Capping appraisal growth at 3% annually for all properties, extending beyond homesteads, would provide widespread protection against skyrocketing values that fuel tax spikes. Fundamentally, half-measures in teh arena of property taxes will always fail to get the job done, noting in “SB9 May Slow Property Tax Growth, But It Won’t Deliver Real Relief” that incremental measures must pave the way for more comprehensive reforms.
School Property Taxes
Finally, allowing voters to decide via constitutional amendment on abolishing school district property taxes for homesteads targets the largest component of many tax bills, offering a route to true elimination. This ambitious step resonates with our explorations of full property tax abolition, such as in “Arkansas Holds Special Session on Property Tax Cuts, Texas Must Eliminate Them“, where we urged Texas to follow suit in phasing out this burdensome system.
The Path Forward
Governor Abbott’s plan marks a commendable escalation in the fight against property tax overreach, and we express our gratitude for prioritizing these taxpayer protections. However, it must be noted that property tax relief has been a “priority” for statewide officials and legislators for years, with constant claims of delivering on promises of relief. Yet, property taxes have increased over $23 billion, or 37%, since 2018. The promises haven’t made a dent.
While past sessions have fallen short—as we documented in “Second Special Session Ends without Property Tax Relief“—this framework demonstrates potential for meaningful change, but ONLY if pursued aggressively.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility urges lawmakers to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring these reforms translate into permanent relief. Governor Abbott could use his constitutional authority to call the Legislature back to Austin for a special session to address these reforms specifically, but it remains to be seen if he will do so.
For deeper insights into our research and positions on fiscal reform, explore our full archive at texastaxpayers.com/news.
Our mission and work is fueled by the donations of Texans just like you. To help us keep fighting for taxpayers and families in Texas, will you please consider generously including TFR in your end of year giving plans?
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility relies on the support of private donors across the Lone Star State in order to promote fiscal responsibility and pro-taxpayer government in Texas. Please consider supporting our efforts! Thank you!
Get The Fiscal Note, our free weekly roll-up on all the current events that could impact your wallet. Subscribe today!
