Texas homeowners are furious—83% say property taxes are a major burden! In this deep-dive episode of The Right Idea, host Brian Phillips and TPPF experts James Quintero and Jose Melendez break down why property taxes exploded after 2014, how local governments game appraisals & bonds, and Governor Greg Abbott’s aggressive new plan to finally crush the burden.
From $91 billion in bond elections to Austin’s 121% tax levy growth, we expose the spending sprees, wasteful logos, and “Taj Mahal” stadiums. Learn how voter turnout in May vs. November lets special interests sneak through hikes—and why super-majority votes, appraisal caps, and taxpayer-triggered cuts could change everything.
00:02:05 – Hot Take: 50-Year Mortgages & Christmas Lights Drama
00:06:06 – The Hockey Stick Graph: Taxes Up 400% Since 1998
00:19:10 – Rate Hikes & VATRE Elections
00:24:14 – Poll: Texans Don't Know Who Sets Their Tax Bill
00:29:28 – State vs. Local Blame: Legislature Can Rein In Locals
00:31:09 – Budgets Growing 2x Faster Than Population + Inflation
00:38:32 – AG Paxton Sues Cities for Skipping Audits Before Hikes
00:46:05 – Appraisal Shell Game: Values Up 138%, Rates Down 7% = 121% Levy Boom
00:55:19 – Lightning Round: Abbott’s 6-Point Plan Breakdown
00:55:54 – Require 2/3rds voter approval for tax increases
00:59:07 – Eliminate M&O School Taxes
01:02:11 – Create Appraisal Predictability, Cap Appraisal Growth
01:03:24 – Require Common Sense Local Spending Limits
01:05:44 – Switch to Appraisals Taking Place Only Once Every Five Years
01:08:18 – TAXPAYER TRIGGER: 15% Signatures = Force Tax-Cut Vote
01:12:05 – Can we pass this in ONE Session like School Choice?
REFERENCED: Testimony to the Senate Committee on Local Government on SB 9