TX Rep Brian Harrison

Waxahachie, TX – Today, Representative Brian Harrison sent letters to taxing entities in HD-10 asking that they adopt the “no-new-revenue” tax rate or a lower rate to refrain from increasing taxes during this time of pronounced economic difficulties.  If local officials want to raise taxes, then Representative Harrison has asked that they voluntarily submit the tax increase to the voters through an election.  Just because property values have gone up, doesn’t mean property taxes have to go up.  Local officials, who set the tax rate, can keep this from happening.

Statement from Rep. Brian Harrison:
“Property taxes are out of control, and inflation is making it harder to pay them. I oppose property taxes and want to replace them so that Texans can finally own their own homes.  Until then, I’m committed to lowering their burden and am encouraging officials who have the power to keep property taxes from going up, to do so.  If they want to raise taxes, they should let their citizens vote on it.  Texans need tax cuts, not tax hikes.  A vote for any rate higher than the ‘no- new-revenue’ rate is a vote to increase taxes.”

Background:
According to the Texas Comptroller, the “the no-new-revenue tax rate enables the public to evaluate the relationship between taxes for the prior year and for the current year, based on a tax rate that would produce the same amount of taxes if applied to the same properties taxed in both years.”  While property owners in Ellis and Henderson Counties have received the appraised value of their property, and seen dramatic increases in this value, the tax they will owe on the property is not yet determined.  Appraisal districts do not determine how much a property tax bill will be.  It is up to the local taxing entities such as school boards and city councils to set the tax rate, and these entities have the option of adopting the “no-new-revenue” tax rate which will provide much needed economic relief to constituents in HD-10.