Texas property tax: Lieutenant Colonel Dan Patrick challenges Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss property tax reform

Austin, Texas (KTRK) – Republican leaders in the Texas House and Senate have promised a property tax break, but it hasn’t happened yet.

The Texas House of Representatives and Senate appear to be deadlocked over how to cut taxes. And on Tuesday, Lieutenant Dan Patrick challenged Gov. Greg Abbott to a debate about it.

He wasn’t there to argue with the governor or the speaker of the House, he said during a news conference that appeared in the early afternoon, both of whom support a plan that differs from the Senate. But he explained why the Senate’s proposal would be better and offered to debate Governor Abbott.

He said: “I do not argue with the ruler.” “We’ll fight on another day, and we’ll be more aligned than most. In the same way with the House of Representatives. But we won’t support this, and if the governor doesn’t agree, then next Monday and Tuesday I’ll be open to discuss Lincoln and Douglas—45 minutes you should get it done.”

When asked at an afternoon signing session about the challenge, Abbott did not directly respond to a reporter’s question but said he would call another private session if necessary.

See also: Here’s how two Texas constitutional amendments could cut some property taxes

“When it comes to property taxes, what really needs to be done is focus on getting an agreement between the House and the Senate,” Abbott said. “And the one thing we’re going to focus on in this session and in successive sessions is passing property taxes. The good news is we’ve already approved the amount, which is historic.”

So what are the plans exactly?

The House plan would lower property tax rates for school districts across the state. This would save every property owner money through what is called leverage.

The Senate plan takes a less aggressive approach to lobbying but increases the House Relief from $40,000 to $100,000. Senator Paul Bettencourt authored the legislation.

“The Senate plan, which is two-step in Texas, brings a lot of savings to the average homeowner, and that means 5.72 million homeowners across the state,” Bettencourt told ABC13.

As for Republican President Dade Phelan, his office sent a statement to ABC13 that read:

“The Texas Senate is the only chamber that did not pass property tax reform and border security legislation in a manner pertinent to Governor Abbott’s special session call. The House has passed the largest property tax cut in state history three times this year. In the special session, the House came out To act, he passed his bills with bipartisan support, adjourned the session – the Senate keeps Texas waiting. We encourage the Senate to take the House approach so that Texans can get the property tax exemption and border security they deserve.”

State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, supports the Senate plan. She said Texas deserved a property tax exemption

“As a Democrat, we control no part of any branch of government in this state. Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the governor’s office, and they if we bring nothing back home to property, to taxpayers in the form of a property tax relief bill.” .

The Senate will remain in session until Monday, and they hope the House will return after passing its version last week and adjourn it.

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