Texas legislators are finalizing a $10 billion property tax reduction bill that would boost the property tax exemption for Texans over 65 and those with disabilities from $10,000 to $60,000. Combined with a separate homestead exemption, this could provide total exemptions crest $200,000 and yearly savings of over $950 for more than two million homeowners.
$Younger homeowners and future property buyers may face higher property tax rates to compensate for reduced tax base from senior and disabled homeowner exemptions, per sources citing Texas Senate data and property tax experts.
Texas Legislature, drafting the bill; Texas Senate Local Government Committee, source of data on property tax exemptions; Taylor Scriber, millennial Texan commenting on property tax burden
Multiple states, including Texas, are suspending gas and diesel taxes to help control fuel costs. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a law on Thursday suspending the state's gas and diesel taxes for 90 days.
$Ohio suspended gas and diesel taxes for 90 days to help keep fuel costs down.
Mike DeWine, Republican Governor of Ohio; Texas, State taking measures to control gas prices; Oklahoma, State taking measures to control gas prices and 2 more
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham appeared on a Let's Talk Local segment to explain how oil and gas revenue from state lands supports public school funding and affects property tax burdens on homeowners. She discussed the General Land Office's management of 13 million acres and its revenue generation for the Permanent School Fund.
$Buckingham stated that increased state revenue from oil and gas can reduce homeowner property tax burden.
Dawn Buckingham, Texas Land Commissioner (R); Sarah Zubiate-Bennett, Host of Let's Talk Local segment
A new state constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 2025 and implemented through House Bill 9 created a $125,000 exemption for income-producing tangible personal property. According to Bell County's Tax Appraisal District, this exemption cost local taxing entities an estimated $12.1 million in property tax revenue in 2026.
$Bell County taxing entities lost an estimated $12.1 million in property tax revenue; school districts and colleges accounted for about $6.7 million of that loss, with the state Foundation School Program partially offsetting school district losses.
Tax Appraisal District of Bell County, Estimated revenue loss from exemption; Billy White, Chief Appraiser, Tax Appraisal District of Bell County; State Rep. Hillary Hickland, R-Belton, joint author of HB 9 and 1 more
Gregg County Commissioners Court approved a property tax increase from $0.304331 to $0.334331 per $100 of property value. County Judge Bill Stoudt said the increase was needed to fund the county budget as costs rise, including jail operations, road maintenance, and law enforcement.
$Property tax rate increased by $0.030 per $100 of property value to fund county budget for road maintenance, law enforcement, and jail operations.
Bill Stoudt, Gregg County Judge; Gregg County Commissioners Court, governing body that approved tax increase
Texas has significantly expanded property tax breaks for seniors and other homeowners through recent legislative cuts. Some 60% of Texas homeowners age 65 and up no longer pay school property taxes, part of a broader pattern affecting 2.4 million Texans. The Legislature boosted homestead exemptions, lowering school tax bills statewide.
$School property tax bills for general homesteads fell 13.6% to $896 statewide; for seniors fell 33% to $380; approximately 40% of Texas homeowners no longer pay property taxes.
Jane Lindsley, Hays County homeowner, age 72; State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Houston Republican who authored property tax cuts; Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, State official proposing additional tax relief and 3 more