Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick disagrees with Gov. Abbott on House’s Property Relief Plan.

News Analysis

Continued infighting among three of Texas’ top Republican lawmakers is sparking more tension in the state’s Capitol following the House’s impeachment of the attorney general.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick took to social media to call out Gov. Greg Abbott’s accolades for the House’s unanimous passage of its property tax cut bill, which was followed by a swift adjournment by House Speaker Dade Phelan.

“Governor Abbott released a statement this evening where he said, ‘The Texas House is the only chamber that passed a property tax cut bill that is germane to the special session that I called to provide Texans with property tax relief,’” Patrick said in a statement posted on Twitter on May 30.

Abbott declared he would hold as many “special sessions as it takes to sign a law that provides the largest property tax cut in the history of Texas. My plan does the most to cut your property taxes.”

But Patrick has taken aim at Abbott’s comments and his taking credit for the House’s property tax cut bill.

“He seems misinformed about the roles of the executive and legislative branches of government. While the Governor has the sole authority to call the Legislature into Session, the Legislature writes the bills—the courts have been crystal clear on this,” he continued.

State’s Top Leaders Out of Alignment

• Patrick, Abbott, and Phelan met the night before the regular session ended on May 29. But the Republican leaders could not strike a deal on property tax cut legislation.
• On Monday, Patrick said that Phelan “left a meeting in a huff” the night before the regular session ended, with himself and Abbott “killing the largest property tax cut in history by demanding an appraisal cap for business commercial properties that most business associations don’t even want.”
• The regular session ended without passing a number of Abbott’s top priorities for the 88th Texas Legislative session, prompting Abbott to order that lawmakers reconvene for “special session #1” at 9 p.m. on May 29.

Take It or Leave It

Phelan’s move delivered a strong message to Patrick, his Senate counterpart, that he has no intention of negotiating with the Senate on the agenda items.

The House adjournment means that the session has ended for the House. The Senate can accept the House version of the bills or not deliver on the items the governor ordered.

“When Governor Abbott declared a special session yesterday evening, we had every intention of gaveling in this morning, fulfilling the governor’s call, and gaveling out. I am proud to say that’s exactly what happened in the Texas House today,” Phelan said in a statement after the House adjourned the first special session sine die, KEYE-TV reported.

No Plans to Throw in the Towel

The lawmakers appear more aligned on the border security bill. But Patrick is not ready to concede.

On Tuesday evening, Phelan posted on Twitter, “Strengthening the border [checkmark], Providing Texans with the largest state property tax cut in American history [checkmark]. Sine Die [checkmark].”

Speaker Phelan has been at the center of contention among Republicans who oppose the House’s unprecedented move to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27 following a secret investigation by the House General Investigating Committee.

Shortly after Phelan adjourned the House, Abbott issued his statement applauding House lawmakers for passing the property tax cut bill (pdf), adding that he looks forward to signing the measure.

“It provides more cuts to property tax rates than any other proposal at this time. It is supported by the most respected think tank in the state, as well as more than 30 homeowner, consumer, and business groups across the state. I look forward to signing it when it reaches my desk,” the governor said.

But on Tuesday, the Senate also unanimously passed its own version of the border security and property tax cut bills, along with a joint resolution that would give voters an opportunity to decide on increasing the homestead exemption to allow more Texans to be exempt from the property tax.

A homestead exemption is a permanent reduction of the amount you are taxed on your home, Lt. Gov. and president of the Senate Patrick said.

Currently, the homestead exemption is $40,000. So if your home is valued at $250,000, you will be taxed at $210,000. The Senate is proposing to increase the exemption to $100,000.

Multiple sessions are expected to cover the priorities not passed during the regular session.