Texas Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session of the 88th Legislature convening immediately following the end of the Legislature's regular session. In a press release, Governor Abbott announced that the focus of the first special session would be on reducing property taxes and cracking down on human smuggling.
Abbott stated that the goal of the special session is to resolve disagreements over the allocation of $17.6 billion set aside for reducing property taxes during the regular session. “We must cut property taxes," said Governor Abbott. "Texans want and need a path towards eliminating property taxes. The best way to do that is to direct property tax reduction dollars to cut school property tax rates.”
The Governor's agenda calls for the Legislature focus on property tax legislation which aims to provide relief for Texas taxpayers by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate.
In addition to property tax reduction, the special session's agenda also includes border security issues, specifically enhancing the penalties associated with human smuggling and the operation of stash houses.
Governor Abbott indicated that this session is the first of several to come, with each one focusing on a few priority items.
“Despite... major achievements, more must be done for the people of Texas," Abbott said. "Many critical items remain that must be passed. Several special sessions will be required."
This first special session is set to convene under the authority vested in the Governor by Article III, Sections 5 and 40, and Article IV, Section 8 of the Texas Constitution.