Texas Legislature Deadlocked Over Property Tax Relief Bill

Texas lawmakers are deadlocked over Senate Bill 10, proposed legislation aimed at lowering property tax caps for local governments without voter approval. The bill seeks to reduce the voter-approval tax rate (VATR) from 3.5% to 2.5% for taxing entities in cities and counties with populations over 75,000, but House Republicans and Democrats have pushed for even stricter measures, including removing population thresholds and lowering the cap to 1%, which the Senate rejected. Governor Greg Abbott has called for further property tax reductions, but the stalemate between the chambers has left the future of tax relief uncertain as the special legislative session nears its end. Critics argue that the current restrictions already require frequent elections and that the proposed limits could impose excessive burdens on local governments. Lawmakers remain divided, with some expressing frustration over the lack of compromise, and voters concerned about limited public involvement in tax decisions. Without an agreement, Texas risks leaving the session without implementing additional property tax cuts despite ongoing public demand for relief.