Texas lawmakers fail to pass property tax bill
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Texas lawmakers on Tuesday failed to pass property tax reform-- one of Gov. Greg Abbot’s top priorities-- and ended their special session one day early before the 30-day maximum limit.
Abbot called for the special session after a similar attempt failed earlier in the year, in conjunction with the controversial bathroom bill, which proposed limiting where transgender Texans can use the bathroom.
The House and Senate hit a stalemate over discussions Tuesday night regarding the tax bill that required voter approval if local governments raised property taxes exceeded a certain amount, said the bill's authorl, Rep. Dennis Bonnen R-Angleton, reported The Dallas Morning News.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Senate wanted a four percent threshold, whereas the House was set on a six percent rate.
The decision to adjourn one day early left the Senate in a precarious position – either pass the House’s version of the property tax bill, or fail to produce on one of Abbot’s key legislative priorities.
Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, refused to sign the bill, claiming it didn’t provide enough of a break for taxpayers – helping seal its fate as the Senate adjourned late Tuesday evening without approving the House version of the bill.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick criticized the House’s effort, saying "they quit on the taxpayers of Texas," citing multiple reports.
In a statement, Texas Speaker of the House, Joe Straus defended his colleagues, saying “the House was thoughtful, respectful and decisive in its solution-oriented approach."
Despite the property tax and bathroom bill failing to pass Tuesday night, Gov. Abbot’s spokesman, John Wittman said, “Our office believes this special session has produced a far better Texas than before.”