property taxes

The resolution, which would have been on the August ballot for voters to decide, limits the assessed valuation of residential, commercial, and agricultural property from jumping more than 9% in any one year.

Property tax relief legislation is left in the lurch while the House and Senate iron out a viable path forward

Kansas lawmakers are more optimistic about the chances of passing property tax relief this session. One proposal is a constitutional amendment that would cap property tax valuation changes at 3% for most properties, while another would cap spending by local governments.

Driven by an overheated residential market and decades of commercial exemptions, a flip in the tax base has left families paying the lion’s share for schools, roads and emergency services.

Some people could see a lower property tax amount with a cap in place compared to previous years. But because local governments still retain the authority to set tax rates, lower property taxes are not a given.

Much of the tension flows from a combination of the Legislature mandating local government services, then trying to regulate local property taxes.

Lawmakers worked this year to address Texas' property taxes by increasing the tax break homeowners get on their property — and new proposals have already been made for the 2027 legislative session.

Conservative and liberal tax policy experts said Abbott's proposal would lead to higher housing costs and tax benefits flowing disproportionately to wealthy homeowners.

Economic uncertainty, inflation, strict state limits on property tax collections and uncertainty around future federal funds have crimped local budgets.

New laws range from school vouchers and water infrastructure funding to a ban on city and county-funded abortion travel funds.