**Abbott Visits Tyler to Push Property Tax, School Finance Reforms**
TYLER, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott visited Tyler on Wednesday afternoon, April 24, 2019, to champion his legislative priorities for property tax and school finance reform before a group of East Texas business owners. The Governor spoke at the Tyler Area Business Coalition headquarters, outlining proposals he believes will provide long-term tax relief and improve public education funding.
Abbott was joined by Senator Bryan Hughes and Representative Matt Schaefer, addressing a gathering that included numerous local business leaders. The central focus of the discussion revolved around Senate Bill 2 (SB2) and House Bill 3 (HB3), two key pieces of legislation moving through the Texas Legislature.
Senate Bill 2 aims to significantly lower the cap on how much local property taxes can increase without an automatic public vote. Currently, cities and counties can raise property taxes by up to 8% before triggering a voter-approval election. Under SB2, the proposed cap would be reduced to 3.5% for cities and counties and an even lower 2.5% for school districts. Any proposed increase above these new thresholds would automatically go before voters for approval.
Governor Abbott clarified that the objective of SB2 is not an immediate tax cut, but rather to prevent substantial future increases and save taxpayers money over time. "You need to have more skin in the game as it concerns how much you pay on your property tax," Abbott stated, emphasizing greater taxpayer control over local government spending.
The discussion also linked property tax reform with House Bill 3, which focuses on comprehensive school finance reform. The Governor highlighted the state's projected surplus, exceeding $9 billion, as a crucial resource to increase state funding for public education. This boost in state investment, he explained, is intended to reduce the reliance on local property taxes as the primary funding source for schools.
Abbott expressed optimism about the prospects for both bills, indicating confidence that they would successfully pass during the current legislative session.
Further information on Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 3 can be found on the official Texas Legislature Online website at www.capitol.texas.gov.
