Gov. Greg Abbott expressed his support for a bill that reduces property taxes, passed by the Texas House during a special session, for its unparalleled tax relief, support from key groups, and endorsement by a leading think tank.
“The Texas House is the only chamber that passed a property tax cut bill that is germane to the special session that I called to provide Texans with property tax relief," Abbott said in a May 30 press release. "It provides more cuts to property tax rates than any other proposal at this time. It is supported by the most respected tax think tank in the state, as well as more than 30 homeowner, consumer, and business groups across the state. I look forward to signing it when it reaches my desk.”
The bill to cut property taxes was part of Special Session No. 1, a legislative period initiated by Abbott that began on May 29. The session was driven by the necessity to address critical issues that affect Texans, as well as the state’s future, according to Abbott’s release about the session. Despite several laws slated for signing that target various issues including border security, education, and health care, Abbott acknowledged the need for further action. He has planned for multiple special sessions to adequately address each priority.
The focus of Special Session No. 1 is reducing property taxes and countering illegal human smuggling, the release reported. Despite allocating $17.6 billion for property tax reduction during the regular session, legislative consensus on fund distribution was not achieved. Abbott said to meet the demands of Texans for property tax elimination, the session aimed to establish strategies for reducing school property tax rates. It also targeted illegal human smuggling by introducing legislation to increase penalties for related criminal activities, including operating stash houses.