Legislature likely to debate statewide property tax to fund public schools

AUSTIN — A debate whether the state should have a statewide property tax to fund the public school system should soon take place in the Legislature.

In a repeat of 2011, on or before Friday — the deadline to fill bills in the 83rd Texas Legislature — Sen. Robert Duncan plans to file a measure that would replace local property taxes with a statewide tax. Local property taxes have largely funded the public school system since Texas became a state in the mid-19th century.

But unlike two years ago, or in previous sessions when the proposal was just floated, Duncan, R-Lubbock, expects more than a debate on the merits of his proposed legislation.

“The bill we filed last time was based on current law at that time,” he said in reference to what was in place two years ago, before the Legislature approved a $5.4 billion funding cut to public education to offset a $27 billion shortfall.

More at http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/2013-03-01/legislature-likely-debate-statewide-property-tax-fund-public-schools .