In August 1914, British polar explorer Ernest Shackleton boarded the Endurance and set sail for Antarctica to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. In January 1915, after battling its way through a thousand miles of pack ice and only a day’s sail short of its destination, the Endurance became locked in an island of ice. Thus began the two-year legendary ordeal of Shackleton and his crew of twenty-seven men.
For 10 months the icebound Endurance drifted northwest until it was finally crushed like an egg and sank. With no other option, Shackleton attempted the near-impossible. Boarding a 20-foot lifeboat with a six-man crew, they set out on an 850-mile journey across the planet’s most treacherous seas to find a tiny dot of land, their closest outpost of civilization, South Georgia island. They succeeded. All men survived.
What lessons can we learn from this incredible story?
I believe Shackleton’s example of perseverance while facing overwhelming odds is “the essential principle” necessary for us to follow if we are to accomplish our goal.
So, this Friday, 08 March, the last day to file bills for the 86th legislative session, ends our campaign to reintroduce HB3742 to Eliminate Property Tax. And next Monday, 11 March, begins our campaign to reintroduce HB3742 in the 87th.
Looking back, what have we accomplish?
We still have a Senator and Representative, Zaffirini and Springer, whose staff continue to confirm their interest in talking about how we can Eliminating Property Tax. (If you are new to the group, you can get the background on these two by reading the announcements pinned at the top of our page.) Last week, I met briefly with both our staff contacts who confirmed we would pick this back up after the session ended.
These two legislators are still our best candidates for becoming champions in this arena. While Rep. Matt Shaheen gave us favorable feedback when we met with him, I’m reluctant to sink (no pun intended) my time and effort into engaging someone who only won the last election by 0.6%. That goes for any legislator.
Zaffirini’s a 32-year veteran. The only risk with her is retirement (she’s 72). Springer, first elected in 2012, ran unopposed in the last election. Zaffirini had years of experience serving on Senate Finance until Patrick replace her with Bettencourt. Springer, who has an accounting background, served on House Ways & Means. They’re both an excellent fit for the task with highly competent staff.
Going forward, what else must we do?
We need to engage the Texas Association of Business (TAB).
Senator Zaffirini’s staff said repeatedly this couldn’t happen without the support of TAB. Since Texas business is a powerful stakeholder in this outcome, many of us have realized we’ll need their support. Business owners hate property tax, too. After all, if they stand to gain, and the Texas economy grows as expected, why would they not become an ally?
We need to engage the Texas Association of Realtors (TREPAC).
TREPAC is the most powerful PAC in Texas. Since 2015, they spent $90MM influencing elections. That’s more than the next 3 PACs combined. Right now, they believe if we Eliminate Property Tax, their business will suffer. Why? Because an expanded consumption tax could include real estate agent services (commissions). Realtors believe that will negatively impact their business. And they don’t like the idea of a tax on property sales for the same reason. That’s why they got a Texas Constitutional Amendment passed in 2015 to prevent it.
While there are ways to defuse that fear, there’s a more powerful realization. It comes from asking, “What would happen to your business if your customers could suddenly afford to buy 50% more house? Would that help or hinder your sales?”
Across Texas, on average, that’s what many homeowners are paying in property tax: 50% of their mortgage. Then consider the likelihood that your home value and property tax will rise. Over the life of the loan, you may end up paying more in tax than you did for your home. Even so, you never stop paying property tax.
So, if these two powerful groups discover we have a solution that benefits them just as much, if not more, than us, do you think they could become allies? These groups already have massive resources, organization, and influence in Texas. If so, would our legislature finally feel the heat and see the light?
We’ve been told it’s impossible to Eliminate Property Tax. Well, if you believe that, and do nothing, you’re absolutely right. But I believe this…
By Endurance We Conquer.
No Relief. No Reform. #EliminatePropertyTax