Lawmakers Eye $13B in Federal Refunds for Property Tax Relief
- With the Texas Legislature currently in 30-day special session, some lawmakers are calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to use a new influx of federal dollars to provide immediate property tax relief to Texans. Brandon Waltens has the details.
- As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill pushed by the Trump administration, funds were set aside to reimburse states for border security expenses incurred during the Biden administration. Texas is expected to receive approximately $13 billion.
- State Rep. Helen Kerwin (R-Glen Rose) has filed a resolution this week urging the governor to dedicate those funds toward reducing Texans’ property tax burdens. “With the influx of federal dollars from President Trump’s reconciliation bill, we have a unique opportunity to deliver long-overdue relief.”
- While Gov. Abbott’s special session agenda includes “additional property tax relief,” the details remain undefined. Though Kerwin’s resolution does not carry the force of law, it would—if passed—signal the Legislature’s intent and ramp up pressure on the governor. So far, Speaker Dustin Burrows has not referred any legislation filed during the special session to committees for action.