Gov. Rick Perry announced the creation of a 15-member task force to examine the state's current property-appraisal process and make recommendations to improve the system. Addressing Texans' continuing concerns over rising property appraisals, Perry charged the task force with striking "a proper balance between protecting taxpayers and ensuring funding for essential services."
Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed a comprehensive tax reform plan that gave Texans a $6 billion reduction in residential property taxes — the largest private-property tax reduction in the state's history. The 80,000-member Texas Association of REALTORS® supported these tax-reforms during the 2006 special session, but skyrocketing property valuations could undermine this effort. Looking for alternatives to the current appraisal process will help to alleviate the heavy tax burden on Texas homeowners. Perry has asked the task force to solicit public input for appraisal process recommendations and to keep "the plight of the taxpaying public foremost on its mind."
