Corpus Christi Sun

A Texas economist, in a June 13 newsletter, outlined the importance of reducing property taxes for all Texans. He referenced previous reporting by the Austin Journal on comments he made to the Senate Finance Committee on ways to lower property taxes. 

Vance Ginn, chief economist at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, noted that Corpus Christi's property tax levy grew faster than the preferred rate of growth from 2016 to 2020. 

“No matter how you slice it, Texans everywhere need property tax relief,” Ginn wrote in the newsletter. “Whether rich or poor, urban or rural, homeowner or renter, Texans face an affordability crisis that can be helped with property tax relief. And they want it now."

Ginn noted that a proposal could cut property taxes statewide by as much as 80%, with the state’s budget surplus used to reduce maintenance and operations taxes by next year, when they would be in sunset provisions. 

The TPPF noted on its website that it found that from 2016 to 2020, Corpus Christi’s property tax levy jumped to $171.6 million, up 44.7% from $118.6 million. The report also noted that combined inflation and population grew 5.4% during that period, a difference of 39.3%.

Moreover, the Austin Journal reported a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Abbott indicated that the governor supports the proposal.  

“He [Abbott] strongly supports using the state surplus to reduce the amount of property taxes owed and will work with the legislature in the next session to do it in an efficient way that will ensure it endures for years to come, rather than as a one-time buy down,” Renae Eze, Abbott’s press secretary, told the Austin Journal. “And under his Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Gov. Abbott will continue working to deliver substantial and lasting property tax cuts.”