Texas House Approves Top Priority of Gov. Greg Abbott, a Bill to Limit Property Tax Growth

AUSTIN — A top priority of Gov. Greg Abbott's special session got a little closer to his desk on Saturday when the Texas House tentatively approved a bill that aims to limit the amount local taxing entities can increase property taxes.When he ordered lawmakers back to Austin for the special session, Abbott said the property tax bill, which failed during the regular legislative session earlier this year, was the most important of the 20 items on his agenda. Lawmakers, he said, need to give a break to taxpayers who are struggling to afford their homes."No government should be able to tax people out of their homes. We must remember: Homeowners are not renting their land from the city," Abbott wrote in a recent Houston Chronicle op-ed.The bill passed with a vote of 98-43. It still must receive a final vote of approval in the House.  Continue reading...