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April 29, 2016      5:40 PM

Senate leaders clash with local governments at property tax session in North Texas

Lt. Gov. Patrick lectures county judges and other local officials to ignore their lobbyists; TML argues it would be apocryphal to suggest every city chose to raise taxes 7.99 percent each year

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick this week threw down the clearest marker yet as to where the Texas Senate is heading when it comes to property taxes in the 2017 session, telling cities and counties that they should ignore the advice of their lobbyists and – as he put it – work with senators to offer input on reforms.

Patrick made an appearance before the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform & Relief during its latest field hearing. This time they met in Arlington.

Speaking as a witness, Patrick advocated for a 5 percent cap on property tax growth. Seniors cannot continue to be priced out of their homes, he argued. Patrick said property taxes on a median priced home of $200,000 would double and even triple in the time frame it would take for a child to complete public school.

“What I’m asking the judges and the mayors to do is I’m asking you to ignore your consultants and your lobbyists who do not have the best interests of your constituents at heart,” Patrick said. “I am asking you to come to the Capitol and let’s sit down together to find a plan to allow people to stay in their homes and afford their homes and allows you to do your job.”

Legislation is imminent, Patrick said, and local governments should be part of the solution.

By Kimberly Reeves and Scott Braddock