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Promises of meaningful, lasting, and historic property tax relief seem to be fading. In today's One Click Survey, sound off on which property tax relief proposal you find most attractive.

Here is the Texas Minute for Monday, May 1, 2023.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan

Trump Gives Support In Texas Property Tax Fight In a Sunday posting to his "Truth" social networking site, former President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate between the House and Senate property tax relief proposals. Brandon Waltens has the story [[link removed]].

The House and Senate have passed differing versions of property tax relief. The chief feature of the Senate’s proposal, championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 and allow seniors or disabled adults to get an additional $30,000. The House’s version, promoted by Speaker Dade Phelan, would reduce the maximum compressed rate for school taxes and limit how much the taxable value of a property can increase each year.

“I fully support Dan Patrick’s, and the Senate’s, $100K senior homestead exemption & $70K for those under 65,” wrote Trump [[link removed]], while calling “California Dade’s” plan a “disaster for Texas.”

Patrick has repeatedly criticized Phelan’s proposal as being similar to appraisal caps implemented in California which he blames for destroying their housing market, giving Phelan the nickname “California Dade” in the process. Patrick serves as the chair of Trump’s Texas Elected Leadership Team.

This is not the first time Trump has opposed Phelan. In 2021, Trump took aim at Phelan over election security issues and pledged to work against him in the 2022 primary election. Phelan, however, ultimately ran unopposed.

House Moves Measure to ‘Rein In Rogue Prosecutors’ Under legislation advanced in the Texas House, district attorneys will need to think twice about turning a blind eye to certain crimes under the guise of “prosecutorial discretion.” Darrell Frost has the details [[link removed]].

House Bill 17 by State Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) expands the definition of “official misconduct” to include “a prosecuting attorney’s adoption or enforcement of a policy of categorically refusing to prosecute specific criminal offenses under state law.”

Residents who believe the prosecuting attorney is engaging in such misconduct can submit a petition for the prosecutor's removal from office. Public statements expressing an intent not to enforce certain laws would be sufficient grounds for removal.

Cook said [[link removed]] the purpose of the legislation is to “remove politics from prosecution,” arguing that failure to enforce the law “set a dangerous precedent.”

The Texas Senate passed a similar version of the bill in early April.

Senate Sets (Limited) ‘Guardrails’ Against COVID Mandates Senators passed legislation last week designed to protect individual rights from restrictions and mandates [[link removed]] related to COVID-19, but not any other communicable diseases.

The measure [[link removed]] was authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham). The legislation blocks schools and institutions of higher education, both public and private, from requiring students to receive a vaccine for COVID-19. It also bars the Department of State Health Services and the Health and Human Services Commission from revising the list of required childhood vaccinations without legislative approval.

Hospitals and medical clinics would not be allowed to deny service on the basis of a patient’s COVID-19 vaccination status, and any facility that violates this restriction would become ineligible to receive Medicaid funds.

The lone exception [[link removed]] to that policy was inserted at the behest of State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills). He wants hospitals to be able to require a COVID-19 vaccine in order to receive an organ transplant or treatment for cancer.

The legislation must pass the House within the next month before it can go to the governor’s desk. Court Sides With Dad Who Exposed Explicit Materials In School Library

When outraged parents exposed explicit materials in school libraries this past year, one Texas dad was banned from school property for speaking out––a months-long suspension that has only just been lifted. Sydnie Henry has the details [[link removed]].

Samuel Hall, whose children attend schools in McKinney Independent School District, spoke out against the explicit materials in an April 2022 school board meeting, stating that “I’m here to protect these kids and I expect you to do the same.”

When Hall attempted to attend McKinney ISD’s May 2022 school board meeting, he was intercepted by police outside the building and blocked from entering on the orders of School Board President Amy Dankel – who spent months rejecting parents’ concerns.

Police officers accused Hall [[link removed]] of calling the school board “a bunch of pedophiles,” but Hall denied [[link removed]] the accusation, stating, “I did not call them pedophiles. I said they support pedophilia.”

Now, an administrative judge with the Texas Education Agency has ruled [[link removed]] the trespass citation invalid, because Hall was never given a verbal warning first and “because it would severely impair his ability to partner in his children’s education.”

Hall told [[link removed]] Texas Scorecard the judge’s ruling is a "huge win for parents and families."

McKinney ISD’s conservative board member Chad Green told Texas Scorecard the district’s actions over the past year have been disappointing. “I am very happy that Mr. Hall has been vindicated by the Texas Education Agency and his rights to participate in the education of his children restored.”

Hundreds Gathered at Capitol to Support Border Security A crowd stood on the south lawn as speakers from across the country encouraged Texas to stand in the gap to secure the border as the federal government refuses to enforce U.S. law. Sydnie Henry covered the event [[link removed]]. 🎧 [[link removed]] LISTEN NOW: Episode 3 of EXPOSED: Border Invasion Season 5 of Texas Scorecard's highly acclaimed EXPOSED podcast series is titled "Border Invasion."

Listen now to Episode 3: "The Frontlines." [[link removed]] Texas is facing an unprecedented open border crisis. As Mexican drug cartels smuggle indentured servants and drugs across the southern border, Texans are struggling to fend off the invasion.

EXPOSED [[link removed]] is available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Today In History

On May 1, 1718, the San Antonio de Valero Mission was founded in present-day San Antonio. The mission moved several times in the 18th Century before settling in 1724 at the location that became known in 1793 as the Alamo.

Quote-Unquote

"If a man's from Texas, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him by asking?"

– John Gunther​

Number of the Day

$67,116,756,952

Total property taxes collected by school districts, cities, and counties in 2022 – up from $63 billion in 2021.

[Source: Office of the Texas Comptroller [[link removed]]]

ONE CLICK SURVEY

Three "plans" have been floated to deal with Texans' horrible property tax problem. One by Gov. Greg Abbott, one by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and one by House Speaker Dade Phelan. The Patrick and Phelan plans are actually in motion.

Gov. Abbott said in 2022 he wanted to use "at least" half of the state's surplus for new property tax relief and to put Texas on a path to eliminate the school "M&O" portion of the property tax bill – more than half of every property owner's tax burden. He reiterated both points several times in recent weeks. Neither the governor nor the leadership of either chamber is pushing legislation to put this fully into action, though he has expressed support for both the Senate and House plans.

Lt. Gov. Patrick and the Senate have passed a plan that would increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 and allow seniors or disabled adults to deduct an additional $30,000. A separate proposal, which the Senate also passed, reduces the "M&O" tax rate school districts can levy. This plan would immediately benefit senior citizens. Critics say this plan doesn’t offer enough relief to all Texans.

Speaker Phelan and the House passed a plan that reduces the maximum compressed rate for school "M&O" taxes as well as changes aspects of the appraisal cap by limiting how much the taxable value of a property can increase each year. The House "M&O" rate reduction is more than double that of the Senate. This plan would have a more limited benefit for everyone. Critics say it would not help senior citizens.

Which of the plans do you prefer?

Abbott Plan [[link removed]] Patrick Plan [[link removed]] Phelan Plann [[link removed]]

Once you’ve clicked an answer, reply to this email with any thoughts you’d like to share!

Directory of Your U.S. & Texas Officials [[link removed]]

This information is automatically inserted based on the mailing address you provide to us. If you'd like to update your contact information, please visit our subscriber portal [[link removed]].

​ U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

John Cornyn - R

(202) 224-2934

U.S. Senator [[link removed]]

Ted Cruz - R

(202) 224-5922

Governor of Texas [[link removed]]

Greg Abbott - R

(512) 463-2000

Lt. Governor [[link removed]]

Dan Patrick - R

(512) 463-0001

Attorney General [[link removed]]

Ken Paxton – R

(512) 463-2100

Comptroller [[link removed]]

Glenn Hegar – R

(512) 463-4600

Land Commissioner [[link removed]]

Dawn Buckingham – R

(512) 463-5001

Commissioner of Agriculture [[link removed]]

Sid Miller – R

(512) 463-7476

Railroad Commissioners [[link removed]]

Wayne Christian – R

Christi Craddick – R

Jim Wright – R

(512) 463-7158

State Board of Education [[link removed]], District

Update your address ( )

Main (512) 463-9007

U.S. House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Congressional Switchboard (202) 225-3121

Texas Senate [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630​​​​​​​

Texas House [[link removed]], District

Update your address ()

Capitol Switchboard (512) 463-4630

Speaker of the Texas House

Dade Phelan (R)

(512) 463-1000

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Presented by Texas Scorecard, the Texas Minute is a quick look at the first news of the Lone Star State so citizens can be well informed and effectively engaged. It is available weekday mornings in your inbox!

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