Lt. Gov. Patrick Celebrates Texas Senate’s Senate Bill 1

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R) recently celebrated the Texas Senate’s passing of Senate Bill 1, in what he called a major “victory.”

“A GIANT VICTORY for Texas homeowners, teachers, and businesses! Here's my official statement following the passage of Senate Bill 1 and Senate Joint Resolution 1, Property Tax Relief, both by Sen. @TeamBettencourt"

The fight for property tax relief has been a longstanding issue. Lt. Gov. Patrick let voters know that he had been a part of that fight for some time.

“I have been fighting for property tax relief since before I held elected office. I have been clear that I will not leave Austin without property tax relief targeted at homeowners through an increased homestead exemption to provide them as much relief as possible. Homeowners need property tax relief right now.”

The Lieutenant Governor shared how the bill will raise homestead exemptions up to $100,000.

“SB 1 delivers the largest property tax cut in Texas history by combining the power of the homestead exemption and compression for homeowners. Additionally, SB 1 provides meaningful relief for businesses through compression and increasing the threshold before businesses are required to pay franchise taxes.”

Not only did homeowners receive benefits from the bill, but teachers as well.

“With under 45 days until the school year begins, the time is now for the Senate to provide Texas teachers with much-needed supplemental payments. The Senate added a provision to SJR 1 to make sure Texas teachers get the supplemental payments they need for the next two years.”

The work is not finished regarding getting the bill into effect. Lt. Gov. Patrick reminded Texans that the House still has to pass the bill.

“The Texas Senate will continue to fight for homeowners, teachers, and businesses. We look forward to working with the House to pass property tax relief and supplemental payments for teachers in the coming weeks.”

In other news, Texas Representative Greg Casar (D) spoke to MSNBC guest anchor Julian Castro about protecting workers from harsh weather conditions.

“We have to take on the climate crisis, but we also have to: protect people’s lives right now on their job sites; pass a decent minimum wage for people, so we don’t have a starvation wage; guarantee paid sick days; guarantee that people have equal opportunity to get a job, and then protect them from the heat and from storms.”