Patrick's push to curb property taxes has Texas cities and counties worried

[TexasTowelie]

For three straight legislative sessions, cities and counties have successfully lobbied against attempts to limit growth in their property tax revenue.

But this year, those local governments are worried that their winning streak could end. The senator who led those attempts in 2009, 2011 and 2013 was Dan Patrick, now the lieutenant governor. And he’s made clear that he’ll push for “property tax relief” again.

And again, cities and counties are teaming up to fight the idea. Dallas County says its top legislative priorities are blocking “appraisal caps” and “revenue caps.” Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez said the possibility of such caps is one reason cities feel threatened by the Legislature. The Texas Municipal League and the Texas Association of Counties are both on record as opposing legislative efforts to cap local property taxes.

“This is right up there among all of our top issues,” said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League.

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/state-politics/20150208-patrick-s-push-to-curb-property-taxes-has-texas-cities-and-counties-worried.ece

[Downwinder]

1. It is School funding that is driving Property Taxes

and valuations not the municipalities. Get the Legislature to address school funding. That is his job.

Also the State is the official sales/use tax agent. Collect the sales/use taxes owed on online sales. That is what is hurting Cities and Towns. They lose the tax revenue and the traffic to local businesses.

While he is at it, raise the minimum wage so people have more to spend.

[DhhD]

2. Patrick is also moving to set up taking more money away from public schools, to private schools

through vouchers, which will make the need for more public school funding necessary.

Texans need to send Patrick a Senate and House full of Democrats. It is a perfect time for Texas Politicians to run on education funding. Patrick will still be in the Lt. Governor's Office in the 2017 Texas Legislative session.

The cost of private schools is very expensive. Vouchers moving money toward the wealthy will increase the need or send an increasing tax burden to the cities, counties, and the working class (Texas has an overwhelming number of minimum wage job earners).

http://dallas-area-schools.blogspot.com/2013/03/2012-2013-dallas-private-schools-ranked.html
2015-16 school year must be higher if they know vouchers are coming their way!