Governor: State can put lid on property taxes, more money into education

It’s no secret that the Texas economy is booming. The Lone Star State leads the nation in everything from job creation and economic growth to oil production and technology exports.

Unfortunately, Texas is also among the national leaders in a less desirable category — property taxes.

Those skyrocketing property taxes are placing a massive burden on businesses and homeowners like Stacy Fuller — a retired widow formerly of Fort Worth. Stacy had lived in Fort Worth since 1958 until last year when the property tax burden became too high, forcing her to move out of her home.

Stacy Fuller is not alone. There are countless stories across our entire state about homeowners and businesses who simply cannot keep up with their rising property tax bills.

Enough is enough. That is why this legislative session, I have proposed a plan to reform this broken system by limiting the ability of taxing authorities to raise property taxes. Already the Texas House and Senate have filed identical bills to do just that.

Despite the dire need to rein in property tax growth, there are those who have opposed this plan at the expense of taxpayers.

However, every argument I have seen against this plan is deeply flawed.

One myth that opponents have argued is that if the state simply added more education funding, then our property tax woes would be over.

They’re correct that our school finance system relies too heavily on local property taxes, which is why my plan includes adding billions of dollars more to education each year. However, that alone will not stop local governments from raising taxes or increasing appraisals. The only way to prevent taxes from being raised is to put a lid on the ability to raise them.

A second myth is that this plan infringes on local control. But the opposite is true. In fact my plan actually improves local control by putting more power in the hands of local citizens, where it belongs.

Already, Texas law requires rollback elections when taxing authorities exceed their rollback rate. What I am proposing is lowering the rate that would trigger an election — giving taxpayers a greater say when it comes to their property taxes.

A third myth claimed by critics is that this rollback rate cap will tie the hands of local governments’ ability to meet the needs of their citizens.

The truth is, we can rein in property tax growth and continue to meet our citizens’ needs. This limit on property tax increases would encourage cities and counties to be more efficient with tax dollars and to prioritize needs like public safety.

But if we are asking cities and counties to be more efficient with tax dollars, then the state must also play its part. That is why I am calling for a law that prohibits the state from imposing new unfunded mandates on cities and counties.

Finally, this property tax reform plan should help reduce the amount of Robin Hood recapture that some school districts have to pay. Districts like the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, which saw its recapture payments to other school districts increase by 45 percent in just one year.

To maintain school finance equity, the state would make up the difference for any revenue lost by school districts on the receiving end of recapture payments.

The truth is, this legislative session we have a unique opportunity to curb the growth of property taxes while also adding more funding for our schools.

With this plan, we will not only reform this broken system, we will protect families, seniors and small businesses from being crushed under the weight of skyrocketing property taxes.

By focusing on the facts, dispelling myths, and prioritizing the voices of taxpayers, we will make Texas a more affordable state in which to live.

This story was originally published February 21, 2019 at 6:00 AM.