Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has urged Texas localities not to raise property taxes as homeowners confront the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abbott’s message to local governments was included in a May 19 letter responding to 10 Texas congressional Democrats who asked him “and the Texas State Legislature to suspend any raises, interest and penalties on Texas property taxes for the current taxable year.”
It is “essential that we lessen the burden on those we serve to the extent that we can," the U.S. House Democrats said in their May 13 letter to Abbott.
“Additionally, the last thing our fellow Texans need is a change in property appraisals leading to an increase in property taxes,” the lawmakers wrote, arguing that “freezing property tax values in this time of crisis is a Texas value.” They added that they look forward to working with Abbott on the issue.
Abbott in his response didn’t pledge to pursue executive or legislative action to guard against property tax increases, noting that local governments have immediate control over property taxes. However, he urged local leaders to take action to avoid requiring higher tax payments from residents.
“I strongly encourage local governments to adopt property tax rates that will not result in an increase in the tax burden. This power is wholly within their control,” Abbott said.
Abbott also disagreed with the congressional lawmakers’ argument that taxes should increase “when times are good.”
“We have a fundamental disagreement on this point,” Abbott said. “Just because times are good does not mean the government needs to take more hard-earned money from Texans.”
The prospect of higher property tax payments as residents face the economic fallout of the pandemic has garnered attention. A coalition of conservative groups and some lawmakers also sent a letter May 18 urging the governor to provide property and other tax relief.
“Homeowners across the state are already receiving appraisals they fear will result in substantially inflated tax bills from their local governments during the pandemic, and business owners struggle even more to pay sales and franchise taxes,” according to that letter. “Tax relief would alleviate the burdens on families, empower entrepreneurs," and could be "accomplished through increases in the homestead exemption, requiring local taxing jurisdictions to compress their tax rates, and reducing the sales tax and franchise tax.”