A major bill to be introduced in the Legislature today will attempt to rein in local government property taxes, but San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor says she will oppose Senate Bill 2, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The bill includes provisions to limit residential appraisals to no more than 105% of existing value, and to set up an office in the Comptroller's Office to act as an appellate body for property reappraisals, on the assumption that local Appraisal Districts are generally made up of elected officials who have a vested interest in higher property values, because that will mean more property tax revenue for the entity they represent.
But the key portion of S.B. 2 is a bill that would cap budget increases for Cities and Counties to 4% without a mandatory public vote.
"The Texas Legislature is considering bills that would limit our abilities and economic viabilities," Taylor said. "We want to discuss these concerns with them and build on the relationship between the state and our cities. Cities are the economic drivers of Texas. We provide vital services like public safety, streets, sidewalks, and drainage, and we create jobs."
The City of San Antonio's opposition to the proposal is based on the calculation that it would provide 'minimal' tax relief to homeowners, but would handcuff cities in their ability to expand services from police to libraries to meet growing populations.
Taylor points out that the measure would not limit the budgets of school districts, which are the largest portion of all property tax bills, and also does not address 'fairer and equitable property values.'Supporters of SB 2 say the bill does not prohibit a city or county from inceasing its budget more than 4% a year, it simply includes language that would allow taxpayers to decide, in the words of one SB2 supporters, 'how much government they're willing to pay for.
"This could be the first shot in what is expected to be a battle between 'red' Texas and its 'blue' cities. With the exception of Tarrant, every major city in Texas, San Antonio, El Paso, Austin, Dallas, and Houston, voted Democrat last November, while the state as a whole voted Republican. The Republcian controlled Legislature is seen now wanting to 'punish' cities for thier 'liberal policies,' and using what is called 'pre-emption power,' which means the Cities and Counties can't do anything the state won't allow them to do, is seen by many as a way to make that happen.
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