Lieutenant Governor Patrick highlights his commitment to property tax reform with creation of this committee
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas -- Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) has been named Chairman of the newly formed Senate Committee on Property Tax by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R-Texas). He previously served as the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform during the 85th Interim and Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief during the 84th Interim. This work included a statewide tour of Texas along with fellow committee members to hear from everyday taxpayers about the challenges they face due to a rapidly rising property tax burden. The formation of the Committee on Property Tax by the Texas Senate recognizes this obvious fact.
I want to commend Lt. Governor Patricks leadership on this important issue and I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Senate Property Tax Committee said Chair Bettencourt. I am encouraged for our chances of success in the 86th Legislative Session by quoting Governor Abbott (R-Texas) who told the Legislature We are going to solve school finance reform and property tax reform this session!
Taxpayers in major metropolitan areas have been feeling the crushing effects of skyrocketing property tax bills for several years. For example the average Houston homeowner has endured a 37 increase on their property tax bill in just four years from 2013 - 2017 while the annual property taxes on a Dallas home have climbed 33 to over $5000. Similar increases have Texans everywhere paying more on their property tax bills.
Texans have made it clear that they will not stand for anything less than meaningful property tax reform and relief this legislative session said Senator Bettencourt. As appraised values go up property tax rates must come down. This is no longer just a Houston problem a Dallas problem or an Austin problem…this is an everywhere problem! He added I look forward to working with Lt. Governor Patrick the Texas Senate and our colleagues in the Texas House of Representatives to pass meaningful property tax reform for hard pressed taxpayers all across the State of Texas.
During the 85th Legislative Session Senator Bettencourt authored Senate Bill 2 (and SB 1 in the Special Session) the Property Tax Relief Act. It passed out of the Texas Senate multiple times. Senator Bettencourt plans to file similar legislation during the 86th Legislative Session.
The Senate Committee on Property Tax will be getting to work right away! Bettencourt concluded.
Senator Bettencourt was also named to the Senate Finance Committee as well as the Education and Higher Education Committees. Senator Bettencourt also serves as the Chair of the Texas Senate Republican Caucus.
