Republican infighting continues over how to lower property taxes in Texas in the first special session.
By Tuesday's end, the House had adjourned after passing its bill, the Senate was in recess after passing its version and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was calling Republican Gov. Greg Abbott "misinformed" about the legislative process.
The Republican-controlled legislature failed to provide property tax relief to Texans in the regular session, arguing over homestead exemptions, school tax rates and appraisal caps.
On Tuesday both chambers filed legislation picking up where they left off, hours after the governor ordered a special session to cut property tax rates “solely by reducing the school district maximum compressed tax rate.”
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On Tuesday morning Patrick, speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said any relief must also include homestead exemptions.
The Senate then passed a property tax relief bill that included property tax compression and homestead exemption, before recessing until Friday.
“I have been crystal-clear that taxpayers deserve to receive the largest property tax cuts in Texas history, and SB 1 delivers on that promise sustainably and responsibly,” Patrick said in a statement.
At about 6 p.m. Tuesday, the House passed its own property tax relief bill and border security bill before House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) adjourned the special session.
“I want to thank Governor Abbott for his leadership and willingness to work with the House as we negotiated on these issues. His special session call gave us clear-cut direction to buy down property taxes using tax compression, and the passage of today’s legislation fulfills that call,” Phelan said in a statement.
Abbott immediately praised the House’s version posting on Twitter, “It provides more property tax cuts than any other proposal at this time. I look forward to signing it when it reaches my desk. ”
Later in the evening, Patrick released his own statement targeting Abbott and the house plan.
"[Abbott] seems misinformed about the roles of the executive and legislative branches of government. While the Governor has the sole authority to call the Legislature into Session, the Legislature writes the bills – the courts have been crystal clear on this."
All of this comes hours after Patrick blasted Phelan Tuesday morning while speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Patrick said he blamed Phelan for failing to resolve the issue during the regular session and urged the house to work more efficiently to move legislation to the Senate.
“I’m tired of the dysfunction in the House,” Patrick said. “This should be easy. It’s three Republican leaders. I shouldn’t need to take Tylenol three times a day.”
Phelan's office did not respond to the criticism but he did tweet the following message after the House gaveled out for the day.
