More Evidence that Property Taxes are Out of Control

Property taxes continue to be a problem for all Texans. School, city, county and special district taxes are becoming so burdensome that it impacts businesses as well as individuals.

In 2011, property taxes foisted onto Texas taxpayers totaled a more modest $40.5 billion. That means that from 2011 to 2016, the overall tax burden grew by $15.6 billion or by roughly 40 percent. That’s quite an increase, especially compared to population growth and inflation.
Texas’ population numbered 25.6 million in 2011. By 2016, that figure had grown to 27.9 million, equating to a five-year increase of 8.8 percent. Over the same period, inflation rose mildly by 6.7 percent. Combined, population and inflation climbed by a little less than 16 percent, well under than actual tax levy growth. Gainsville Register

There is absolutely no rational reason for property taxes to grow faster than population growth plus inflation! It is time to limit property tax growth to that metric unless there are exceptional circumstances and voters approve the increase.