The City of San Antonio as well as other local governments and school districts, are pushing back against that proposal from Gov. Abbott designed to limit the growth of rising property taxes, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Abbott today will call for a three point plan to cut into rising property taxes, which he says are up almost 200% just in the last two decades."
As a result, some Texans are being forced out of their homes," Abbott said. "Others are unable to afford their first home."
Abbott's proposals would limit property tax increases by local city, council and school boards, as well as other taxing entities like hospital disticts and river authorities, to 2.5% per year, unless the entity gets the approval of the voters for higher taxes.
Abbott is also calling for reining in property appraisals, by requiring elected councils and Commissioners courts to sign off in a public vote on higher property valuation.
Abbott would also put limits on increased public debt, and require local governments to report how much debt they hold, and how much per taxpayer needs to be repaid.
Dick Lavine, an analyst with the Texas Center for Public Policy Priorities, says the main entities raising property taxes are school districts, and the reason those taxes are being raised is the state government is so anxious to pat itself on the back over its economical ways that it keeps cutting state funding for education.
"Our school districts account for more than half of our property taxes, and because the state has not been helping fund the schools like they should, it has been up to the local districts to do it themsleves," he said.
Local governments also blasted Abbott, who repeatedly complained that Washington DC was stripping authority away from state governments, for now attempting to have the state strip authority from local governments.
“We look forward to analyzing the Governor’s proposal in detail and sharing all that the City of San Antonio has done and continues to do keep property taxes low," San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley said in response to Abbott's proposals "San Antonio remains one of the best fiscally managed cities in the country, evidenced by its AAA bond rating and overwhelming community and voter support for bond programs.”
The Texas Legislature, under pressure from the Texas Municipal League and other local governments, rejected a proposal to cap local property tax increases at 4% per year in last year's session. This proposal is far tougher than the one rejected by lawmakers.
"If he's concerned about property taxes," Lavine said. "The best way to cut property taxes is more state aid to our schools."