"We must pass bold reforms like the ones I’m re-filing today."
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — "The Texas Legislature failed the people of Texas by not passing numerous conservative priorities – including Property Tax Relief and Border Security," said
Texas State Rep. Brian Harrison, as he responded to Gov. Abbott’s special session agenda by filing a number of bold bills on property taxes and border security. These include the "Texas Title 42 Act" to secure the Texas-Mexico Border by allowing immediate deportations, as well as bills to eliminate property taxes and require elections to raise them.
"Gov. Abbott is right to call us back immediately. However, we must resist the temptation to simply pass bills containing those words in their titles and enact bold reforms like the ones I’m re-filing today.
"Any serious property tax plan must put Texas on a path to elimination and require elections for tax hikes, and any border security bill must reduce illegal crossings and allow Texas law enforcement the authority for immediate deportations," Harrison said.
"Any serious property tax plan must put Texas on a path to elimination and require elections for tax hikes, and any border security bill must reduce illegal crossings and allow Texas law enforcement the authority for immediate deportations," Harrison said.Background:
- HB 14 the “Texas Title 42 Act” is modeled after the Federal Title 42 Order, which utilized public health authority to suspend entry into the United States to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- This order gave immigration officers the ability to quickly expel illegal immigrants from the country and led to the most secure border in history.
- HJR 2 would amend the Texas Constitution to prohibit political subdivisions from imposing any property taxes after January 1, 2029.
- HB 16 is the enabling legislation for HJR A and would create an interim study committee to assist political subdivisions by conducting a study to determine how to replace the local property tax revenue with sales taxes.
- HB 17 would require effective property tax increase proposals go to the voters for approval; providing much needed transparency to the property tax system and ensuring that taxpayers are given a voice when local elected officials attempt to take more of their money.
- HB 15 would require any tax property increase elections receive a super-majority (60%) of the votes in order to pass.
- It is modeled after a recently passed ballot measure in Arizona.
