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House Bill 3281 |
House Author: Rodriguez, Eddie |
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Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Watson |
House Bill 3281 amends the Local Government Code to increase the threshold number of occupied housing units in a uniform state service region in which a certain municipality must be located for purposes of the applicability to the municipality of provisions relating to homestead preservation districts and reinvestment zones. The bill prohibits a municipality to which such provisions apply from designating a homestead preservation district if the municipality has adopted a requirement in any form that establishes a maximum sales price for a privately produced housing unit or residential building lot.
Governor's Reason for Veto: "House Bill 3281 would have extended a City of Austin program that gives special tax treatment to certain neighborhoods at the expense of other taxpayers, with the apparent goal to stymie the natural forces of the free market. Directing large amounts of property tax revenue to select city projects has the effect of increasing the tax burden on other property owners. We should not empower cities to spend taxpayer money in a futile effort to hold back the free market."
"The best way to ensure people do not lose their home because of rising property taxes is to cut property taxes. This bill does nothing to lessen the tax burden for Texans on the verge of being taxed out of their home. It merely permits the City of Austin to continue redirecting tax dollars for city-initiated redevelopment. If the City of Austin is concerned about rising taxes displacing its residents, it should reconsider its tax policies or its spending priorities."