property taxes

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.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly's proposal to stick with the same property tax rate and instead dip into county reserves to pay for post Fourth of July flood recovery met with no major opposition.

On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott released his official proclamation announcing a special legislative session. Texas lawmakers will be back in Austin starting on July 21. The session, which originally looked like it would focus on regulating THC, now includes several emergency preparedness topics.

Oklahoma will receive more than $4.5 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding in 2025, according to the federal government.