Dallas Mayor, First Responders Speak Against Property Tax Bill at Heated Hearing

AUSTIN — The Senate Finance Committee heard heated testimony from first responders and local officials Tuesday about Sen. Paul Bettencourt's bill to redesign the state's property tax system, one of Lt. Gov Dan Patrick's top priorities. The large crowd of witnesses filled three rooms at the Capitol but had to wait for the Senate to debate the so-called bathroom bill, which passed 21-10. Finance chairwoman Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said she would stay until "3 or 4 in the morning" to hear everyone's testimony, if that's what it took. And if enough committee members were present after the testimony concludes, she expected they would vote on the bill Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.Bettencourt's Senate Bill 2 seeks to lower property taxes by changing the so-called rollback rate, the maximum amount a city can raise taxes, from 8 percent to 4 percent.   Continue reading...