Despite having passed tax relief at the state level during the 89th Legislative Session (SB 4, 2025), Texans are still burdened with some of the highest property taxes in the nation. This is largely due to relief being eroded at the local level. Local government taxes and spending need to be scrutinized by voters more frequently to ensure increases in the property tax rate are at the will of voters and not left just in the hands of cities.
Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government: Senate Bill 9
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, My name is James Quintero, and I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a free-market institute headquartered in Austin, Texas. Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee this morning on the merits of Senate Bill (SB) 9, which proposes to reduce the voter-approval tax rate (VATR)...