State Senator Expects Lawmakers to Raise Homestead Exemption for Texas Homeowners

TEXAS, USA — Will it or won’t it?

The Houston Independent School District remains in limbo as the Texas Education Agency decides whether to take control of the district.

A recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court cleared the way for a possible move that was originally raised in 2019 following board dysfunction, alleged misconduct by trustees, and repeated high school underachievement.

Whitley High School’s rankings have improved since then, the district has taken significant steps to increase accountability, and much of the board has been replaced.

But state senator Paul Betancourt, a Houston Republican whose own legislation determines what could lead to a district takeover, says the decision is entirely up to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath.

“The problem is this: the state’s largest school district cannot be allowed to continue to fail,” Betancourt said at Inside Texas Politics.

Betancourt was also recently renamed chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, meaning he will continue to have a big impact on Texas property taxes.

He believes efforts to raise the homestead tax exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 will not pass this session.

Homestead tax exemption reduces the taxable value of a Texan’s primary residence. And if you do the savings math for yourself, you are paying about $3,000 for every $100,000 your home is worth.

“I expect this $40,000 to $70,000 bill to also be passed by a large majority,” the Republican said. “And that’s a huge savings. For the average Dallas ISD home, wherever it is in Dallas ISD, you will save $826 a year for the rest of your life.”

Watch the full episode of Inside Texas Politics this week: