The state House has preliminarily approved a bill cutting sales taxes for Texans for the first time, setting the lower chamber up for a potentially terse fight with the Senate over whose tax cut package is best.
The sweeping proposal passed 141-0 on Tuesday after shorter-than-expected debate. It would cut sales taxes by about $2.7 billion in the 2016-2017 biennium.
The bill is part of the House's two-pronged tax cutting package aimed at saving Texans $4.9 billion over the next two years. The second bill, which would cut business taxes, will also be discussed Tuesday.
Once both facets get final, procedural House votes, chamber leaders will have to negotiate with the Senate -- which has approved cutting property taxes.
Gov. Greg Abbott has declined to say which approach he prefers.
