Texas Governor Greg Abbott has spoken out against a move by the Austin City Council that could see the maximum property tax increase by 25 percent for the next fiscal year, to 60 cents per $100 in valuation.
Newsweek contacted Governor Abbott and the Austin City Council for comment on Friday via email and telephone respectively outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Austin City Council is estimated to have a $33 million shortfall for the next fiscal year, which comes against the backdrop of federal funding cuts and additional spending requirements for the police and fire department.
Abbott’s move to oppose potentially substantial new property taxes is likely to find a favorable audience from Texas Republicans.
What To Know
On Thursday the 11-strong Austin City Council voted unanimously to set the maximum property tax for the next fiscal year at 60 cents per $100 in valuation, a substantial increase on the current 47.76 cents…