“We have substantial costs associated with Hurricane Harvey that the state needs to address,” Dale Craymer at theTexas Taxpayers and Research Association . “But I think also the state has a number of problems such as our pension systems.”

As mayors and county commissioners in recent days have sharply criticized legislation that would place strict limits on increasing property tax collections — saying the limits could force cuts in basic services — school district officials have remained on the sidelines as they await proposals to boost school spending.

More than in any legislative session since the Great Recession, Texas lawmakers are signaling a willingness this year to dip into the state’s massive savings account. As the Legislature debates costly investments in property tax reduction and public schools, and with big bills coming due for retired teachers’ pensions and Hurricane Harvey recovery, Texas’ Economic…

AUSTIN — The three most powerful players in state government declared their unified support Thursday for an aggressive plan to place a 2.5-percent limit on property tax hikes enacted by school districts, cities and counties.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and devastating flooding in Central Texas last year, a key Republican lawmaker has proposed tapping the state rainy day fund for $1.2 billion to pay for flood-control projects.