May 5, 2015      12:18 PM
Sources: Patrick tells business groups he is doubling down on property taxes, has no interest in compromise with House
Meantime, business groups float compromise tax cut plans of their own
Lt.
Gov. Dan Patrick said the Senate is
"doubling down" on property tax relief and in no way intends to
bargain with Texas House leaders and find middle ground on the tax cut plans
put forth by the two chambers, sources in the business lobby told Quorum
Report on Tuesday.
The
“property tax relief” contained in SB 1 – in the form of an increased
homestead exemption – along with SB 1760 will amount to lasting
property tax relief that Patrick is completely committed to, sources said. That
bill passed by the Senate last week would, among other things, require a 60
percent threshold for passage of tax increases by local governments.
The
Lt. Gov. has been holding stakeholder meetings and in one of those meetings on
Monday, Patrick showed absolutely no interest in even talking about the House’s
plan to cut sales taxes. That's according to one of the people familiar with
the talks.
By Scott Braddock
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