Howard: How the Legislature could spend a $33 billion surplus
As is usual in any Texas legislative session, the budget takes center stage. But this session’s budget is a real showstopper.
Read MoreTexas small businesses need a property tax break too, the Legislature should spend big
Gov. Greg Abbott and legislative leaders have promised homeowners the largest property tax break ever. But small and medium-sized businesses also face crushing property taxes, and they do not get homestead exemptions or limits on annual increases in valuations.
Read MoreWhat a $50 savings per taxpayer is costing Harris County residents
Republican Commissioners Jack Cagle and Tom Ramsey boycotted Harris County Commissioners Court for weeks this past fall to force the Democratic majority to adopt a smaller budget and lower tax rates.
Read MoreHow would the proposed Texas budgets fund public education? Here’s what we know.
In their preliminary state budgets released Wednesday, the Texas Senate and House earmarked $72.5 billion for the Texas Education Agency, which oversees K-12 schools, and $15 billion in school property tax relief.
Read MoreAwash in money, Texas House, Senate align their budgets, try to avoid ‘spendthrift’ label
said Dale Craymer, president of Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, a tax-research organization mostly supported by businesses.
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