Gov. Abbott appears likely to call special session on property taxes

BELTON -- Gov. Greg Abbott hinted broadly Monday night that he will call a special session of the Legislature to address rising property taxes.

After recounting the legislative successes of the regular session that ended Memorial Day, Abbott told a Bell County Republican audience, that, “I think there is one challenge and one problem that many Texans face that wasn’t solved.”

“It’s complex but it needs to be addressed and that is the incredible rise in property taxes in this state. I can feel the groans,” Abbott said. “People are being priced out of their homes. It turns out you’re not owning your own property and there needs to be a solution. But it seems like at least a starting place, and maybe the best way to solve it, is to for those who pay the property taxes, let them have a say on what those property taxes will be. Give them a vote on their own property taxes.”

Senate Bill 2 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, would have required cities and counties to get voter approval for tax increases of 5 percent or more. Currently, citizens can petition to hold a “rollback election” for increases of 8 percent or more.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/gov-abbott-appears-likely-call-special-session-property-taxes/u2A4bLtusGyOYSuktjRGcM/