Dale Craymer, the president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, said a more equitable distribution of property tax relief would be

It’s a starting point in the Senate as lawmakers begin to craft bills aimed at cutting property taxes. Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to deliver the “largest property tax cut in the history of the state of Texas.”

As state lawmakers prepare to craft the next biennial budget, most Texans favor using some of the state’s multi-billion-dollar surplus on school safety, mental health services and tax relief for businesses and property owners.

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.

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.