Property taxes have been a terrible burden on Texans this past year along with inflation and high gas and grocery prices. “Homeowners in Texas currently pay the sixth-highest property taxes in the U.S., with some homeowners seeing double digit increases in their bills in one year.”

However, Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have announced there will be a huge property tax cut this next year, up to 4 billion. 

This comes as the Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar has reported that the Texas legislator will have a budget of 27 billion for the 2023 state legislative session. That is expected to increase to 30 billion. “In total, lawmakers will have $149.07 billion in general funds, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. Going into the last regular legislative session in 2021, lawmakers had $112.5 billion at their disposal.”

This excess revenue comes along with high inflation, high gas and grocery prices, sales tax and the burdensome property taxes. Because there is so much spending that has to be done because of rising inflation, the state has grown an incredible budget which many have differing views on how to spend.

There are those that think property tax relief should not overshadow the need for school security, water infrastructure to the Texas drought that is expected to continue the rest of this year and, highway infrastructure. “Hegar also mentioned a need to address rising property taxes and increase pay for state employees, especially since Texas is growing by 1,000 people per day.”

The Texas Legislature has what the State Comptroller called unprecedented. Yet, with the burdensome property taxes, there are Texans, and government spending watch dogs, that believe Texans should receive more than just “4 billion” in property tax relief. With higher prices, rising inflation, and Texans already struggling after paying high property taxes, some believe that these funds need to go alleviate taxpayers burdens from overshot estimates.

Story by Jacob Lehrer