Why Texas Can’t—or Won’t—Stop the Rapid Growth of Property Taxes

This paper is the second in a three-part series, A Roadmap to Abolishing School Property Taxes, examining how to eliminate the massive property tax burden facing Texans. The path to restoring our economic liberty and unleashing prosperity begins by holding state politicians in Austin accountable.

Key Points:

• Over the last 20 years, annual spending on government schools in Texas has increased from $30,054,426,935 to $72,620,846,524, increasing at 4.79% per year.

• School property taxes have similarly increased and are on track to hit $40 billion this year.

• Since 1997, Texas politicians have attempted to provide tax relief five times and failed each time.

• Explaining their continuous failure is simple; they have refused to rein in spending growth at the state and local levels.

• To reverse their fortunes and provide real property tax relief, in 2023, Texas politicians should:

  • Limit state spending growth to no more than 4% per biennium (~2% annually).

  • Freeze school property taxes.

  • Reduce the revenue trigger that requires voter approval of a tax increase from the current 3.5% (for cities and counties) to the “no-new-revenue” tax rate.

  • Prioritize local taxpayers' liberty over local politicians' control over taxes and spending.

Liberty Statement:

Our personal and economic liberty is the foundation of our Texas and American constitutions. Actually owning one’s property and not renting it by force from the government is paramount to strengthening and stabilizing this foundation. Property rights start with the actual freedom to at least own your own property.

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