Are Property Taxes a "Wealth Tax" on the (Mostly) Non-Wealthy?

Property taxes play a large role in funding cities, schools and counties in Texas. The tax revenue taken from property owners increases every year at rates exceeding increases in income for the average citizen.

"Property tax is not based on consumption or income, but on the presumed wealth and income of property owners. In effect, property taxes are a wealth tax: if you can afford a house, you can afford property taxes".Link

The Governor and Lt Governor have charged the legislature to examine ways in which the local governments can be funded without relying on property taxes.

Even though Texas law allows seniors and select others to freeze their property taxes, if their taxing government so allows, it only applies to your principal home. The taxes on other property that citizens may own are subject to annual increases based on property values determined by non-elected officials and on the perceived needs of the taxing authority.

Clearly some hard limits need to be placed on property tax growth, or as some advocate, property taxes should be completely eliminated.

Politicians like to brag that they have not increased the tax rate, but, they have extracted more tax revenue from property owners as the property valuations are increased, even though the property owner's income has not increased. The elected officials need to focus on total tax revenue, not just tax rate, as total taxes paid is what is important to the property owner.