AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Legislators in the Texas House have pushed back their debate on the chamber’s property tax proposal.
It was originally expected to take place Thursday. But in the afternoon, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, requested to postpone the debate. House Speaker Dennis Bonnen told lawmakers they were continuing to work with the Senate.
Members of the Texas House have filed 180 amendments to the committee substitute for House Bill 2, which has been the main property tax proposal. It aims to limit how quickly property taxes increase in the state, which would require voter approval.
The bill also defines a “special taxing unit” as a taxing unit, other than a school district, a junior college district, a hospital district or an emergency services district.
Lawmakers in the Texas Senate also have a committee substitute for Senate Bill 2.
On Wednesday, Texas’ “Big Three,” Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Bonnen, also released a statement supporting an increase to the state’s sales tax from 6.25 percent to 7.25 percent. The proposal would help buy down property tax rates for all Texas homeowners and businesses once House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2 pass, they added.
