Patrick Challenges Abbott to a Debate
From the Texas Minute Newsletter of the Texas Scorecard
With the temperature increasing on the ongoing battle between state leaders on how to best distribute property tax relief funds, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is challenging Gov. Greg Abbott to a public debate to sort it out.
While property tax relief was a legislative priority of Abbott, the House and Senate have been at odds all year on their approach to property tax relief. While the House advocated for stronger appraisal caps, the Senate has supported an increase to the homestead exemption.
Abbott, meanwhile, has increasingly embraced a plan to use the money to help buy down—or “compress”—local school property taxes.
At a press conference yesterday, Patrick blasted the proposal and argued that a homestead exemption increase would ensure more property tax relief goes to homeowners rather than businesses.
Going even further, Patrick challenged Abbott to a 45-minute Lincoln-Douglas debate on the issue next week. Abbott deflected the invitation and said it was up to the House and Senate to reach an agreement.
The battling proposals have created an interesting divide. Abbott’s plan has received support from groups like the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, and the Huffines Liberty Foundation.
Others, like Republican Party of Texas Chairman Matt Rinaldi, have argued Abbott is not serious about property tax elimination, especially when more money could have been allocated to property tax relief in the budget this session, and prefer the Senate plan to benefit young and working-class families.
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