Committee hears testimony from passionate crowd in Plano
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas (PLANO) Property owners from Tarrant and surrounding counties who have seen taxes on their homes and businesses skyrocket turned out in large numbers to the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Reliefs hearing today in Plano at Collin County Spring Creek Campus. Sen. Konni Burton Sen. Brian Birdwell and Sen. Bob Hall joined the panel during the day.
Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Ron Wright stated that one-third of Tarrant Countys taxing units have cut rates for the first time and credited the Senate Select committee for these results. Sen. Hancock quipped The committee should hold another hearing there next year and keep saving the taxpayers money!
Dallas City Councilman Phillip Kingston noted that Dallas also cut its tax rate after a double-digit rise in property values following the committees stop in Arlington Texas in the spring. Collin County Judge Keith Self also spoke to committee members stating that the county this year adopted the effective rate to keep its tax rate in check. He noted that taxable value in Collin County grew almost 12 percent this year.
Collin County reduced their tax rate to the effective rate of 20.84 cents the lowest of the major Texas counties said Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) who chairs the committee. From testimony of a Dallas City Council member it is apparent that due to the Senate Select committees visit to the cities of Dallas and San Antonio both cities have finally cut their tax rates. Thats finally recognizing the obvious because when appraisal values skyrocket tax rates should be reduced otherwise property taxes go through the roof.
The taxpayers who came to Plano today to share their experiences is appreciated Sen. Taylor concluded. Its very important that taxpayers come and make their voices heard on the tremendous growth in property tax bills which have been rising 2.5 times faster than Texans paychecks.
Plano is the seventh city the Senate Select committee has visited on the road.
Weve continued to hear stories about taxpayers feeling threatened that they have to sell their homes in order to pay their tax bills Chairman Bettencourt concluded. Today weve heard from retirees and other folks on fixed incomes who have seen their property taxes double and that is causing taxpayers to demand change in the system.
