![]() More: Texas Legislature starts special session with House, Senate at odds over property tax cuts The Senate's bill and the joint resolution, which is necessary as the homestead exemption increase would require voter approval to change the state's constitution, were passed unanimously from the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday and was made available for consideration to the full chamber minutes later.Īfter the quick vote and approval by the Senate, Bettencourt told his colleagues that the homestead exemption would be retroactive and be applicable this year, possibly allowing savings up to $1,246 and $1,416 for seniors. Hours later, the House refused to take up the measure. The Senate's plan also proposes to lower school district maintenance and operation tax rates by nearly 21 cents, which is about a 21.8% reduction in property tax rates across the state, Bettencourt said while laying out the bill on the Senate floor Tuesday. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, proposes to raise the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000. Something Governor Abbott and Speaker Phelan should remember - for any bill to pass, it must go through both the House AND the Senate."Ĭarried by the Senate's point man on property tax, Senate Bill 1 and its companion joint resolution by Sen. It is germane to the call - legal precedent is clear on this point. "While the Governor has the sole authority to call the Legislature into Session, the Legislature writes the bills - the courts have been crystal clear on this." "He seems misinformed about the roles of the executive and legislative branches of government," Patrick said of Abbott. Patrick, who has taken to social media to belittle Phelan and the House's tax plan, blasted Abbott in a tweet on Tuesday night. Patrick, who oversees the Senate, had been pushing to raise the state's homestead exemption, while Phelan proposed lowering the annual property appraisal cap from 10% to 5%.Īfter the House adjourned Tuesday, its members walked out of the chamber remarking to one another about the gambit, with one saying to a colleague, "Now that's how you sine die," using the traditional Latin phrase that signifies the end of a legislative session. Phelan seemingly outmaneuvered Patrick during the special session by having the governor endorse his tax plan after the House and Senate chiefs had been at odds during the whole regular session with competing tax relief proposals. ![]() I look forward to signing it when it reaches my desk." "It provides more cuts to property tax rates than any other proposal at this time. "The Texas House is the only chamber that passed a property tax cut bill that is germane to the special session that I called to provide Texans with property tax relief," he said. In a statement Tuesday evening, Abbott said he was supportive of the House's plan. "I am proud to say that’s exactly what happened in the Texas House today.” "When Governor Abbott declared a special session yesterday evening, we had every intention of gaveling in this morning, fulfilling the governor’s call, and gaveling out," Phelan said in a statement released just minutes after the House adjourned. Phelan said what proved to be a dramatic end to the one-day session was in the cards from the start. The House on Tuesday also passed its own property tax proposal before adjourning the special session on sine die, which was met with a raucous cheer from the 143 members in the chamber when the end came. "Senate Bill 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 1 are not germane to the call of the governor," Phelan said Tuesday, emphasizing Abbott's call for legislation that would "cut property-tax rates solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate." Later in the day, House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said the Senate's proposal will not be heard in a House committee, saying the homestead exemption is outside the governor's directive for the special session. Senators convened the special session Tuesday afternoon and advanced a $60,000 increase to the state's homestead exemption tax while compressing tax rates. ![]() Greg Abbott called a special session for lawmakers to deliver on the GOP's promise for tax relief and to crack down on human smuggling across the Texas-Mexico border. Nearly three hours after the regular session ended Monday, Gov. View Gallery: Texas Legislature convenes for first day of special session at CapitolĪfter failing to pass record property tax relief for Texans during the Legislature's 88th regular session, which ended Monday, lawmakers were called back to the Capitol for a special session Tuesday and after each chamber passed its own tax plan, the House adjourned for the special session.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |