Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have already signaled opposition to the proposal from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen.
school finance
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Texas Legislature 2019
A Texas sales tax increase would hit poor people the hardest
Top Republican leaders have proposed raising the sales tax and using the money to lower local property tax rates. Wealthier Texans and businesses would likely benefit, while poorer Texans would likely pay more.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Can Texas Republicans raise the sales tax without suffering a backlash?
Lawmakers have proposed swapping higher sales taxes for lower property taxes — but leaving the final decision to voters. They don’t have to do it that way, but it could move the blame from them — to the rest of us.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: The Texas Legislature is stuck. Don’t worry about it.
The Texas Legislature is in its biennial spasm of drama, with big bills stuck and some state leaders saying it will take a special session to get property taxes, school finance and all of that done. But they have six weeks to go, and they often do their big work on deadline.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: For the Texas Legislature right now, it’s bipartisan or bust
The state’s top three leaders bet everything on public education and property taxes this year, but they can’t get where they’re going — especially if they want to cut property taxes — without bringing some Democrats to their side.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, other top leaders propose raising the sales tax to provide property tax relief
The state’s “Big Three” unveiled the proposal in a joint statement. The idea would need approval from two-thirds of the House and Senate and a majority of Texas voters.
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Public Education
Texas charter schools are facing more backlash this year, but they could also receive more cash
School finance reform could bring the privately operated public schools a windfall. But traditional public school advocates are still fighting the charters’ expansion.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Here’s how different proposals at the Texas Capitol could change property tax bills
How would lawmakers’ proposals to provide property tax relief affect tax bills? It depends on where you live and what kind of home you own.
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Texas Legislature 2019
After 20 years of agitating for property tax reform, can Paul Bettencourt pull it off?
The “Tax Man,” a Republican senator from Houston, has his best chance yet to shake up Texas’ property tax system. But it’s going to be an uphill battle.
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Public Education
Texas House approves major school finance reform package, adds teacher raises to the bill
The legislation would increase per-student funding, mandate across-the-board teacher pay raises and reduce “Robin Hood” payments made by wealthy districts.
