This Is a Smart Way to Show Texans That Their Property Tax System Is Honest and Transparent

The Watchdog credits State Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, for an excellent property tax bill he introduced in Austin.So far, it's going nowhere.Krause's House Bill 1333 would fix a lot of obvious flaws in what I call the unfair and broken state property tax system.The part I like best is his bill would remove an obvious conflict of interest.In Texas, it's legal to work in an appraisal district and, at the same time, serve as an elected official for a city or school district.An appraisal district employee helps set the taxable value of a property. That same employee can then go back to her or his city council or school board and vote on setting the property tax rate for the coming year.The property tax rate times the taxable value is what you pay.They wear two hats. One is enough.  Continue reading...