Texas Democrats opposed property tax reduction: 'This number could have been significantly higher had the Texas House Democrats not broken quorum'

Last year, the State Senate voted to pass property relief, but Democrats in the State House were accused of holding up efforts to bring property tax relief to Texans by not holding a quorum.

The issue has become more pertinent for Texas, which has the sixth highest property tax rate nationwide, as skyrocketing property values have not outweighed previous property tax rate locks.

"This number could have been significantly higher had the Texas House Democrats not broken quorum," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in the wake of two property tax bills passing in 2021.

Patrick's comments were in response to Democrats failing to show up in the Texas House, thus disallowing votes on the issues.

Despite the criticism, those such as Democrat gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke are blaming Gov. Greg Abbott for the issue.

O'Rourke was caught in misstatement by the Houston Chronicle when he said property taxes were due to Abbott.

"Throughout the campaign, O'Rourke has sought to tie Abbott to Texas' rising property taxes, even accusing the governor of bearing direct responsibility for the uptick during last month's debate," the Houston Chronicle noted.

Abbott said he intends to use budget surpluses to address property taxes.

"What the state of Texas has done, and we will continue to do, is to drive down the ability of the local governments from being able to raise taxes," Abbott said during the debate.

According to Texas Politics, Republicans, in particular, have been disappointed in the state's high property tax rate.

In a recent poll, only 28% of Republicans agreed the state had appropriately handled the property tax issue.

"Property taxes have been a perennial issue in the Texas Legislature. Back in February of 2015, we asked Texas voters how satisfied or dissatisfied they were with the amount of different taxes that Texans pay, with the highest registered dissatisfaction in the amount that Texans pay in property taxes, 55%, including 61% of Republicans, but also 48% and 49% of Democrats and independents, respectively," Texas Politics notes.

According to the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, property tax rates have slowed three years after Texas lawmakers — led by Abbott — changed the code to disallow large tax increases by local authorities.

Abbott's "taxpayer bill of rights" would cut property taxes, improve appraisal processes and limit the ability of local authorities to raise taxes.  

O'Rourke's plan would emphasize legalizing marijuana, gambling and sports betting to supplement revenues.