Texas House Property Tax Relief Proposal Unlikely To Pass Senate

One of the two Republican priorities being considered in the state Senate's special session is unlikely to proceed. The House and Senate agree on the matter of increased penalties for human smugglers. But they differ on the best way to deliver Texas taxpayers more than $17 billion in property tax relief. The Senate prefers an expansion of the homestead exemption, while the House prefers a cap on increases in property appraisals. Last week the House passed its own plan and then adjourned its special session, leaving the Senate in a take-it-or-leave-it position.