Tax-Relief Plan Headed to Governor
Proponents are calling it the “biggest property tax cut in Texas history.” Both chambers of the Texas Legislature passed an $18 billion package during the second special session, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
If signed as expected by Gov. Greg Abbott, the bill raises the homestead exemption to $100,000, with an additional $40,000 exemption for owners 65 and older. It also dedicates more than $12 billion to lower school property taxes.
Agreement on a tax cut plan took months of haggling between competing plans in the House and Senate. After House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick met, a plan began to fall into place.
“I thank my partners in the Texas Legislature for coming together to honor the best interests of hardworking Texans who want to own their property—not rent it from the government,” Abbott said in a statement following the passage of the tax plan.
The Legislature adjourned after passage of the bill in the House. Another special session is likely in the fall to address Abbott’s bid to enact a school voucher plan.
Interim Attorney General
A longtime aide to Abbott was named as the second interim attorney general, replacing John Scott, who served in the role a little over a month. Angela Colmenero has been serving as Abbott’s deputy chief of staff. Previously she worked in the attorney general’s office for nearly a decade. “John Scott faithfully executed his duties as the interim Attorney General of Texas, and I thank him for his leadership in stepping up to serve his fellow Texans in this role,” Abbott said.
Ken Paxton was suspended from that position after being impeached on 20 counts by the House and awaits a trial in the Senate on Sept. 5.
Scott told the Texas Tribune that he will “return to working as a consultant, attorney and board member for a broad variety of companies.” He previously served as Abbott’s secretary of state before returning to the private sector.
Record Demand On Grid The second heat wave of the summer means the state’s power grid is breaking records for demand almost daily, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is forecasting several thousand megawatts of excess supply, with demand late last week exceeding 84,000 megawatts. ERCOT manages the power grid serving about 90% of the state, except for part of East Texas and the El Paso area.
Excessive heat warnings have been issued for much of the state, with heat index values topping 117 degrees around the Houston area. Much of the state is also experiencing triple-digit temperatures with high humidity.
The latest heat wave is baking much of the Southwest, with all-time record highs expected in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California.