Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently voiced his support for a proposal from Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) that would use the state’s budget surplus to reduce the amount of property taxes that Texans pay.
“Texas is awash in cash—let’s give taxpayers some relief. That’s the plan. Use the billions in our savings account to cut property taxes in Texas,” Abbott wrote in a May 21 Twitter post.
In his tweet, Abbott linked to a column published by TPPF that notes the importance of making permanent reductions in property tax and notes that enormous property tax relief could be given by putting up to 90% of the state budget surplus toward property tax relief instead of government growth. The relief for residents across Texas would be in the billions.
Abbott’s press secretary Renae Eze previously spoke with the Austin Journal, affirming Abbott’s support for lowering property taxes over the long term for Texans.
“He strongly supports using the state surplus to reduce the amount of property taxes owed and will work with the Legislature in the next session to do it in an efficient way that will ensure it endures for years to come, rather than as a one-time buy down,” Eze told Austin Journal. “And under his Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Gov. Abbott will continue working to deliver substantial and lasting property tax cuts.”
Outgoing House Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty noted that school district fund balances rose to $21.5 billion last year, adding that “it’s insane the amount of money [ISDs] are putting in their bank accounts.”
