Property Taxes News
Austin restaurant attorney: The Debt Service Tax is ‘the constitutional way to incur debt’
Bill Aleshire, the attorney representing Dirty Martin's and the other plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Austin's light-rail project, said the Debt Service tax is the constitutionally dedicated way to retire debt. The city's deviation from Texas norms by funding the project through a transfer of general fund revenues raises legal and constitutional concerns as well as significant questions about whether the debt payments could be stopped at any point. Aleshire was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Use of a loophole in Texas’ housing program persists and is expanding says Representative Gary Gates
A program intended to provide affordable housing for families in Texas is wide of the mark, according to Representative Gary Gates (HD28). Gates owns apartment complexes as part of his business and serves as the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Urban Affairs.
Latest News
Austin Light Rail: The Human and Constitutional Cost; a Conversation with Mark Nemir and Bill Aleshire
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 1, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH MARK NEMIR, OWNER OF DIRTY MARTIN’S AND AUSTIN ATTORNEY, BILL ALESHIRE.
Texas Business and Property Owners Seeing $4.5 Billion Yearly Savings Thanks to SB 2 and SB 3
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 29, 2024
Austin, TX – In the 2nd called Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) passed SB 2, which provided historic property tax reductions, and SB 3, which doubled the franchise tax exemption taking around 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) off the franchise tax roll, and eliminated the requirement to file a ‘No Tax Due’ form. SB 3 also eliminated the administrative burden of filing a ‘No Tax Due’ franchise tax return for 2.178 million SMBs. Senator Bettencourt was the author of SB 2 and SB 3, which were sponsored in the...
Rep. Troxclair says she will continue work to 'ensure that all Texas taxpayers are protected from reckless financing schemes'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 20, 2024
During the 88th regular session, former Austin City Council Member and, now, State Representative (HD-19), Ellen Troxclair filed HB3899 to address Austin’s proposed financing mechanism for its light rail project.
Texas Attorney General Office comes out in opposition to Austin's light-rail funding request, says funding agreement was 'void at the time' and an 'unconstitutional debt'
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 18, 2024
On Monday, the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) will appear in the Travis County District Court to ask a judge to validate $150 million of a total $5 billion dollar bond package for Austin’s light rail project called Project Connect.
TDHCA Resources for Wildfire Affected Texans
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 15, 2024
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced resources available for Texans affected by wildfires. In coordination with Panhandle Community Services (PCS), TDHCA is making up to $1.2 million of federal Community Services Block Grant funds in assistance available to income-eligible households. According to TDHCA's website, eligible households must have an annual income at or below $62,400 for a family of four to qualify for the assistance.Households looking to move to affordable housing developments in TDHCA's portfolio will need to sign a...
New Texas property tax abatement for corporations begins
By Lone Star Standard | Mar 7, 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the state will commence accepting applications for the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program. This initiative was established by the Texas Legislature in 2023 as a newer version of its school property tax abatement scheme for large businesses.
TPPF Announces Tax, Spending, and Local Government Policy Priorities
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 28, 2024
The Texas Public Policy Foundation's Taxpayer Protection Project has unveiled its legislative agenda for the upcoming 89th Texas Legislative Session, focusing on tax, spending, and local government policies aimed at reducing the government burden on Texans. According to TPP Policy Director James Quintero, the organization's primary goal is to enhance transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility within all levels of government.Quintero emphasized the importance of eliminating taxpayer-funded lobbying, stating, "Break the chain of using tax dollars to fund...
Advocating for Fair Funding: A Conversation with Dick Lavine of Every Texan
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 6, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR INTERVIEW WITH DICK LAVINE
Huffines Liberty Foundation research finds Texans paid more in property taxes in 2023, despite tax cut legislation
By Lone Star Standard | Feb 6, 2024
Recent research conducted by the Huffines Liberty Foundation has revealed an increase in property tax revenue in 2023, despite the enactment of tax cut legislation by the legislature the previous year. The study, led by Foundation President Don Huffines and Policy Analyst Bill Peacock, suggests further measures that lawmakers could adopt to alleviate the property tax burden on Texans.
Senator Paul Bettencourt delivers record tax reduction and named Legislator of the Year
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 24, 2024
State Senator Paul Bettencourt is Chairman of the Texas Senate Local Government Committee, representing Texas Senate District 7.
State Rep. John Bryant: ‘Our homeowners, they don’t need hundreds of dollars in tax relief, they need thousands of dollars in tax relief’
By Lone Star Standard | Jan 5, 2024
State Rep John Bryant (D-Dallas) said that Republican tax relief for homeowners would not provide enough support. Democrats have proposed a bill that would provide more relief for homeowners, and those who rent.
Paul Bettencourt: 'The Senate voted unanimously for SB 2'
By Lone Star Standard | Dec 31, 2023
Texas State Senate Member, Paul Bettencourt, has announced a record $18.1 billion cut in property taxes. He revealed via Twitter that his office has been inundated with calls of gratitude from the public.
ALEC names Senator Paul Bettencourt '2023 Legislator of the Year'
By Lone Star Standard | Nov 30, 2023
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the largest nonpartisan organization of state legislators, gave Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt (SD-7) the "2023 Legislator of the Year" for his work to pass historic property tax relief in Texas this year. This award recognizes lawmakers who demonstrate leadership and commitment to ALEC’s principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.
Financial Report shows Houston’s property tax levy increased 42.5% in the last 10 years
By Lone Star Standard Report | Aug 18, 2023
Increased property taxes have long been a concern among Texas taxpayers, especially in Houston, as an annual comprehensive financial report from the city shows strong data supporting these increases.
Huffines Liberty Foundation: 'What the Texas Legislature did this session will not work if the goal is to eliminate the school M&O property tax'
By Lone Star Standard Report | Jul 27, 2023
Earlier this month, the Texas House and Senate reached a long-awaited agreement that resulted in a $12 billion tax cut for property owners in the state.
Governor Abbott Statement On Proposed Property Tax Cut Legislation
By Lone Star Standard Report | Jul 15, 2023
Governor Greg Abbott today released a statement on the Texas Legislature's announcement of property tax cut legislation during Special Session #2:
Abbott: 'I am once again putting the agreed upon school district property tax rate cuts on the special session agenda'
By Lone Star Standard Report | Jul 3, 2023
On June 27, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement announcing that he is calling a second Special Session of the Texas Legislature. The Governor's announcement highlighted the accomplishments of the legislature, but emphasized the need for property tax relief as the House and Senate did not reach an agreement on the matter during the first Special Session.
TPPF's Quintero on dueling plans for property tax relief for Texans: 'The more money returned to taxpayers, the better.'
By Lone Star Standard Report | May 19, 2023
As the House and Senate chambers in the state of Texas continue to disagree on the best route for achieving historic property tax relief, James Quintero, policy director for the Government for the People initiative of Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), is calling on lawmakers to provide what Texas taxpayers really want: the historic property tax relief they were promised.
