SB 2 would slow the growth rate of local property taxes by imposing a 2.5 percent property tax revenue trigger whereby a local tax jurisdiction desiring to raise revenue above this rate would automatically trigger an election in November. This could cut the revenue growth rate by more than half, whereby property taxes could not double but every 29 years. Cutting the growth rate by more than half is a great start to keeping Texans from being taxed out of homes and businesses and improving housing affordability.
Taxes & Spending
Taxes are High. Local Spending is to Blame.
Over the last few months, local property taxes have been described as: “steep,” “burdensome,” “stressful,” “too high,” and “out-of-control.” Yet despite these sharp (and accurate!) criticisms of Texas’ property tax, many local governments seem oblivious to the system’s excesses, as evidenced by the adoption of high tax rates this year (see TPPF’s Taxman Cometh series) as well as historical tax, spending, and debt patterns. Worse, what once may have been excused as indifference or detachment now borders on exploitation. Consider some recent revelations about local government compensation. ...
March 26, 2026