Property Taxes News
TPPF Policy Director James Quintero: 'Texas’ local debt soared to a total of $461.3 billion'
James Quintero, Policy Director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) Taxpayer Protection Project, reported that Texas' local debt increased by $44 billion over one year, reaching $461.3 billion in 2023.
Legislators question amount of property tax relief during Senate hearing
Advocates of property tax relief questioned whether the Texas Legislature has done enough to reduce the property tax burden in a Senate Finance Committee hearing last week.
Latest News
New lawsuit filed against Austin City Council, testing Texas’ taxpayer protection statute
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 28, 2024
On Monday, August 26th, attorneys representing seven Austin taxpayers filed a class action lawsuit against the Austin City Council.
Rep. Plesa: Recapture reform is a ‘very important issue’
By Lone Star Standard | Aug 28, 2024
Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa said that while recapture reform is crucial due to its impact on property taxes, it’s important to prevent voucher system bills from reaching the House floor, considering their negative effects in other states. Plesa was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.
Euless and neighboring cities push for legislative reform on housing tax exemptions
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 31, 2024
Last month, the Lone Star Standard reported that the City of Plano and Plano ISD had filed a lawsuit against the Plano Housing authority and five other public facility corporations (PFC).
TDHCA allocates $95 million in housing tax credits for affordable rental properties
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 28, 2024
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has awarded nearly $95.5 million in housing tax credits to finance the development or rehabilitation of 63 rental properties across the state. These awards, part of the 2024 Competitive (9%) Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Program allocation, are expected to have a value of approximately $955 million over a 10-year term.
City of Plano, Plano ISD suing public facility corporations for millions in property tax exemptions
By Lone Star Standard | Jul 18, 2024
The City of Plano and the Plano Independent School District (ISD) have filed a lawsuit against the Plano Housing Authority and five other public facility corporations. The suit alleges that these entities violated the Texas Constitution by granting tens of millions of dollars in annual property tax exemptions. A civil citation case was served to the corporations on May 10.
Austin’s multi-billion dollar light-rail project continues to face opposition from the Attorney General’s Office
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 11, 2024
On Tuesday last week, the Attorney General’s office released its pre-trial brief in the case against Austin’s light rail bond proposal. The case will be heard by Eric Shepperd, the presiding judge of the Travis County Court at Law Two.
TDHCA celebrates grand opening of affordable housing property Saison North
By Lone Star Standard | Jun 7, 2024
A new affordable housing property, Saison North, hosted a grand opening on June 5, welcoming residents and partners to its North Austin community. The income-restricted property, located at 10010 North Capital of Texas Highway, is a 2021 recipient of the 9% Housing Tax Credit. It received $1.5 million in tax credits and has an approximate value of $15 million over the 10-year term.
Texas businesses save $4.5 billion through Senator's SB 2 & 3
By Lone Star Standard | May 13, 2024
In the second Special Session of the 88th Legislature in 2023, Senator Bettencourt (R-Houston) successfully passed SB 2 and SB 3, which have resulted in significant savings for Texas business and property owners. SB 2 provided historic property tax reductions, while SB 3 doubled the franchise tax exemption. This legislative change removed approximately 67,000 Texas small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) from the franchise tax roll and eliminated the need to file a 'No Tax Due' form.
Austin restaurant attorney: The Debt Service Tax is ‘the constitutional way to incur debt’
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 8, 2024
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
By Lone Star Standard | Apr 2, 2024
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.
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
