PROPERTY TAXES

The state’s high property taxes have taken center stage as Texas’ real estate market explodes and drives up home values.

The propositions on the May 7 ballot would lower property taxes by shifting more public school costs to the state. But the measures’ language can be hard to understand.

In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Jolie about the stay of execution in Lucio’s case and with Josh about property taxes in Texas.

Texas school districts, cities and counties rely heavily on property taxes to pay for roads, libraries, police, firefighters and public schools. But lowering tax bills has long been a difficult endeavor.

Texas lawmakers tried to lower property tax bills during their 2019 session, and a new report says they put a dent in the problem: Taxes aren’t rising as quickly as they would have. But they didn’t solve it: Property taxes are still rising.

Homeowners in Bexar County can expect sticker shock when they receive notice of their new property appraisals. Values are up nearly 28 percent.

The increases are being felt across the county, but the more affordable areas saw the largest increases as far as percentages.

State lawmakers will tell you they hate property taxes as much as anyone. But the state itself doesn’t levy the tax — local governments do. And lowering it in a meaningful way would require state officials to raise taxes or cut programs. For them, talking about it is easier than doing something.

Twenty-five states, including California and New York, preceded Texas in getting federally backed programs up and running to help homeowners suffering financial hardship because of COVID-19.

If two propositions pass, the state will increase school funding to make up for revenues lost from a decrease in property taxes.

Most voters approve of using state money to add border barriers between Texas and Mexico. But 57% disapprove of a new abortion law’s provision allowing lawsuits against people who help someone get the procedure.

Unofficial results show that Texas voters approved eight amendments to the state Constitution.

High Texas property taxes were an issue in the state's 2018 elections, and you can see from their work on a new homestead exemption earlier this week that state lawmakers didn't forget that lesson from voters.

If voters approve the measure next year, it will raise the state’s homestead exemption from $25,000 to $40,000 for school district property taxes, netting the average homeowner about $176 in savings.

Republican lawmakers have faced pressure to provide some form of property tax relief this year. Critics of a new proposal say it’s politically timed.

Collier says his 2018 close call against Patrick was no fluke. Next year, he’s out to prove that his campaign can make a real challenge to the two-term incumbent.

Tax relief for property owners joins a packed to-do list for Texas lawmakers — which includes redistricting, COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a spending plan for $16 billion in federal stimulus dollars.

Abbott has faced pressure from his right to prioritize property tax relief. One of his challengers in the Republican primary has slammed him for not including it earlier in the agenda, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called it his top priority this session.

Commissioners voted 3-1, with one abstention, to cut the tax rate for the county’s portion of property tax bills from $0.301097 to $0.299999 for every $100 of valuation. That equates to somewhere between a $3 to $4 savings a year for the average homeowner, staff said.

SAN ANTONIO As if paying the mortgage and grocery bills is not challenging enough for people whove lost jobs and income, many now face a June 30 deadline to pay their property taxes. How am I going to pay my property taxes? said Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector Albert Uresti. Seniors, the disabled, and disabled veterans struggling to get by also can get a 180-day property tax deferment. To lower property taxes, property owners should make sure they are receiving all of the exemptions they are due, such as homeowners exemption, disabled veteran and over 65. For 2020 taxes, property owners can appeal their appraisals, potentially easing future tax burdens.

We talked to local homeowners and experts, looked at data and even played with Legos to break down all you need to know about property taxes. Bexar County property valuesTheres a reason youve been reading so much about property taxes lately. Property values in San Antonio and Bexar County have been rising. We requested information from the Bexar County Appraisal District, breaking down the average residential property appraisal in 2014 and in 2019 by ZIP code. City study on property appraisal processThe city of San Antonio is reviewing how the Bexar County Appraisal District operates.

How property taxes have changed, skyrocketed in San Antonio neighborhoodsPublished: July 31, 2020, 1:40 pmKSAT News at 9 gives you a deep dive into rising property taxes and how it affects you.