Published: 05-12-08
Austin - State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) made the following statement today to residents of District 61 due to concerns over recent property tax appraisal increases:
“Many of my constituents have recently contacted me about large increases in their local property tax appraisals. This is deeply disturbing as the Texas Legislature voted in 2006 to reduce school property taxes by a full one-third. Additionally we went further by requiring voter approval before certain property taxes could be raised.
I have heard from several local business people including one gentleman that reported a 300 increase in a 10-acre tract of undeveloped land. This is the exact opposite of what the legislature intended to happen when we ordered property tax reductions.
If you have received notice from your local appraisal district of a large increase in the appraised value of your home or business I would like to know. Please fax a copy of the notice from your local appraisal district to my office at (817) 596-8375 or my capitol office at (512) 463-5896. If you prefer a scanned copy may be e-mailed to phil.king@house.state.tx.us or mailed to Rep. Phil King P.O. Box 2910 Austin TX 78768. You can also go to www.philking.com and register to receive email updates from me on legislation and different projects that I am working on.”
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) recently appointed King to the Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform. King intends to use the appraisals that are sent to his office as evidence that the current appraisal system is broken and must be fixed.
