The windfall will be the foundation explanation for a lot of the friction and combating this session as lawmakers resolve who will get how a lot.
DALLAS — To say Texas lawmakers have a pile of money to again up their legislative goals can be a large understatement.
In truth, the funds surplus right here in Texas is so massive, a document $32.7 billion, it’s greater than the whole funds in 29 different states.
“So, as we go to work this session, the number one thing we have to talk about is there are about 33 billion reasons as to why we should be bipartisan and pragmatic,” Democratic state consultant Trey Martinez Fischer instructed us on Y’all-itics.
And that windfall will be the foundation explanation for a lot of the friction and combating this session as lawmakers resolve who will get how a lot.
One of the highest priorities will be an try and decrease our property taxes.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed us lately he needs to lift the homestead exemption for Texas owners from $40,000 to $60,000, perhaps even greater this session. The homestead exemption reduces the taxable worth of a Texan’s major residence.
State Rep. Craig Goodman says to additionally count on debate over appraisal reform, as many householders by no means really really feel a property tax discount as a result of the worth of their dwelling retains rising, zeroing out any financial savings.
The Fort Worth Republican was simply elected chair of the GOP caucus within the Texas House, so his voice will be influential this session.
“We’re all in favor of giving property tax cuts. We know that’s one of the biggest complaints our constituents talk about every single day with us. We feel it too. But we have to make it sustainable,” Goldman stated.
Meantime, as the brand new chair of the Democratic caucus within the Texas House, Martinez Fischer will additionally maintain a key function within the debate.
And the San Antonio Democrat tells us that whereas property tax cuts sound nice, they wouldn’t profit all Texans, reminiscent of renters.
He sees the funds surplus as an opportunity to assist many Texans struggling by means of troublesome monetary occasions, so he wish to talk about sending inflation help funds on to Texans and allow them to select methods to spend it.
“We know times are tough. We’re going to give this to you,” the Democrat stated. “If you want to buy medicine, you can buy medicine. You want to cut your taxes, you can cut your taxes. You want to help your son or daughter pay that high college tuition? We’ll give you that flexibility.”
Beyond the funds, the Jasons are additionally seeing some political flashpoints emerge that would dominate the session – from whether or not to ban minors from social media to probably elevating the minimal age to buy a firearm. Listen to the complete episode of Y’all-itics to be taught extra. Cheers!
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