Eliminating the state’s property taxes is high on the wish list of some Republican lawmakers. They received a reality check last week when state budget officials said doing so would require the state to produce $81 billion each year to cover the costs of public schools, as well as the revenue now received by cities, counties and special taxing districts through property taxes.
The Texas Tribune reported that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick directed the Legislative Budget Board to tally the costs of replacing property tax revenue, which funds teacher salaries, law enforcement and many other government functions. Eliminating the tax likely would require a massive increase in sales tax rates – something that appears highly unlikely.
State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, is Patrick’s chief lieutenant on property taxes. He noted $81.5 billion is “a huge amount of money to be able to replicate.”
