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Are Big Tax Increases Coming to the Big D?

What to Know: This morning, the Dallas City Council will take up a resolution that “asks the tax assessor to calculate what an 8% property tax increase would look like.” The resolution also directs the city manager “to exercise any and all options available…to ensure the continued financial health of the City.”

The TPPF Take: Last year, Dallas was “one of at least 17 cities and counties” that raced to raise taxes before new taxpayer protections could take hold. This year, the city may circumvent those protections entirely and max-out a tax increase. Struggling homeowners and businesses should be outraged.

“Despite an economic meltdown and widespread misery, the city of Dallas is considering a massive tax increase. Again. This is the last thing that should be on the mind of any local official,” says TPPF’s James Quintero. “Texans need a helping hand, not a picked pocket.”

The Limits of Pandemic Panic

What to Know: The Texas Supreme Court has reminded elected officials that government power has limits, even in a pandemic.

The TPPF Take: As the Justices noted, the “Constitution is not suspended when the government declares a state of disaster.”

“As the current pandemic has continued, pundits, politicians, and even judges have behaved as if there is a pandemic exception to the Constitution,” says TPPF’s Chance Weldon. “Public health has been used as an excuse to justify the closure of all ‘non-essential’ businesses in counties where there hasn’t been a single reported case of COVID-19, closure of churches, restrictions on leaving the home, and even the arrest and jailing of hairdressers.”

Cuts are Coming

What to Know: In light of recent economic news, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, are asking state agencies to identify cuts amounting to 5 percent of their budgets.

The TPPF Take: The request is reasonable and timely.

“This is a good first step and likely the first of many that will be necessary to reduce spending in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis,” said TPPF’s Vance Ginn. “We must protect Texans, many already struggling in our current economic situation, from bearing the burden of increased taxes.”