I’m Russell Bennett, founder, and representative for the Texas activist group, Eliminate Property Tax. I’m opposing Property Tax Relief or Reform.
Property Tax Relief and Reform Schemes have always failed. They’ve been tried over and over and over. They don’t work.
During the nationwide property tax revolt of the “Great Depression” politicians created the Homestead Exemption to provide relief. They implemented Sales Tax to provide reform and halt rising property taxes. They didn’t.
In more recent times, there have been three major attempts. 20 years ago, the Homestead Exemption was increased but school district property taxes continued to rise. Ten years ago, a Business Franchise Tax swap was supposed to bring reform. Instead, it brought Texans an increase in both local property and state taxes. Three years ago, the Homestead Exemption was increased again. Did that stop property taxes from rising?
We’ve been trying this for the last 80 years. The results have been like an Oncology Doctor telling us, “We’re only going to remove half of that tumor. Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine.” We’re not!
So, what should we do? We should Eliminate Property Tax.
– Because private property ownership is central to a free society.
– Because property taxed is not owned at all.
For the last 10 years, the Texas Republican Party Platform has resolved to “replace the property tax system….” But only one bill has ever proposed a solution that could do this.
In 2013, the Ways & Means committee reviewed HB3742, a 224-page bill that would eliminate property and 60+ other taxes, replacing them all with an efficient, transparent, consumption-based tax. HB3742 was sent to the Legislative Budget Board and Legislative Counsel, but time ran out and no one returned in the next session to carry it forward.
I’ve recently sent every member of the Senate and House an email about HB3742 and hand-delivered the same to your offices. I urge you to review HB3742 and revive it in the next session.
– Because no tax should have the power to leave us homeless.
Thank you for your time, and I welcome questions.