Senate District 7 Analysis takes issue with Judge Hidalgo's Tweet
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — "This must be a spending problem – not a revenue problem – and Judge Hidalgo shouldn't be twisting the truth," said the principle author of Senate Bill 2, Texas State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston,) weighing in on Harris County's use of the "no-new-revenue-tax-rate" and what it means for future County Property Tax Revenues.
The no new-revenue-tax-rate means no growth on last year's 2021 property tax levy, but allows for new growth of $72 million dollars for all four taxing units set by the Harris County Commissioners Court.
However, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo (right,) recently tweeted about a $45 million 'deficit' in the Hospital District."Despite a record potential $245 million dollar savings to Harris County Taxpayers, Judge Hidalgo is trying to blame property tax rates for a supposed $45 million dollar 'deficit' in the Harris County Hospital District," said Senator Bettencourt.
"The truth is, the Hospital District will receive an estimated $20 million MORE property tax revenue dollars in 2022 than in 2021 using the no-newrevenue-tax-rate."
"The truth is, the Hospital District will receive an estimated $20 million MORE property tax revenue dollars in 2022 than in 2021 using the no-newrevenue-tax-rate."
The chart below shows the Estimated Property Tax Levies in 2021 – and the effect of using the "No-New-Revenue-Tax-Rate" in 2022 – if they are mailed out in this fall's property tax bill statements. The four county tax units would raise a total of $72.6 million more dollars of estimated new revenue, with no "deficit" as claimed by Judge Hidalgo.
"If Judge Hidalgo is wondering about combined county account balances of $2.4 billion dollars in unexpended balances, what 'deficit' can't be funded?" Senator Bettencourt concluded.
