Letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott - Congressman Gonzalez and Members of Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation Call on Gov. Abbott to Suspend Raising Property Evaluations

Letter

Dear Governor Abbott,  

The State of Texas is in a time of crisis and we cannot abandon our Lone Star State. Government is asking citizens and the businesses that employ them to tighten their belts and accept losses. We are also asking working families in Texas to do more with less. We, as public servants, must look for ways to ensure Texans can save some money in order to use it for other much-needed purposes at this critical time.

Property taxes, more than any other source, provide the most tax dollars for local services in Texas. We are well aware that those funds are put to good use for public schools, libraries, playgrounds, city streets, county roads, police, fire protection, emergency medical service and many other important services.

However, today there is no greater need than taking care of the hard working people of Texas and assuring our business community survives and continues to thrive after this pandemic is over.

It is, therefore, essential that we lessen the burden on those we serve to the extent that we can.  Today, the undersigned members of the Texas Congressional Delegation ask you and the Texas State Legislature to suspend any raises, interest and penalties on Texas property taxes for the current taxable year. Additionally, the last thing our fellow Texans need is a change in property appraisals leading to an increase in property taxes.  

We all believe in raising property taxes when times are good, and property values have indeed increased. However, we are living in an unprecedented and challenging time, and increasing this burden on our people is the wrong path forward.  Our economy is hurting and we, as a people, need time to recover from our losses.

This simple relief will allow our fellow Texans to pay the same amount of property taxes they paid when times were good, while at the same time continue to provide the budgetary support to those essential services that are funded by property tax dollars throughout the state.

As we all prepare to adapt to the new normal that we will face on the other side of this crisis, we urge you to take action on this important matter today. Freezing property tax values in this time of crisis is a Texas value. We urge your immediate action on this issue and look forward to working with you.