UNCOVERED: Paul bettencourt | History Defined

Hundreds of thousands of potentially eligible Texas homeowners aren’t claiming their property tax savings

Homeowners aren’t claiming a homestead exemption because they do not know about it or find the process too complicated, experts say.

The Texas Tribune · Oct 20

Texas seniors are getting a huge property tax break. Everyone else is picking up the tab.

State lawmakers passed generous homestead exemptions that have allowed some 60% of Texas homeowners age 65 and up to pay $0 in school property taxes.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 30

Texas cities eye property tax hikes, spending cuts amid yawning budget gaps

Rising costs, slowing tax revenue and a sluggish economy have saddled some of Texas’ biggest cities with multimillion-dollar deficits.

The Texas Tribune · Aug 17

Texas Seniors, Don’t Miss the Proposed “Operation Double Nickel”: 7 Ways It Freezes Your School Taxes at Age 55

For many Texas homeowners, property taxes are one of the biggest expenses they face each year. Now, a proposed plan known as “Operation Double Nickel”...

Saving Advice · Jun 15

Texas takes over voter registration in Val Verde County amid struggles

The secretary of state is using a law that was originally written to focus on problems in Harris County.

The Texas Tribune · Jun 12

Data Center Boom Exposes GOP Faultlines over Local Control

In rural areas like Caldwell County, local Republican officials and citizens are scrambling to find ways to empower counties and slow AI-fueled development.

Texas Observer · Jun 9

Texas Pushes “Operation Double Nickel” to Freeze School Taxes at Age 55, Saving Homeowners $900-$1,000

Property taxes have become one of the biggest financial pressures facing Texas homeowners, especially those approaching retirement age. In response, Texas leaders are now backing...

Saving Advice · May 20

Texas Republicans have a data center problem

Data center construction is unpopular among locals, and a majority of the facilities are being proposed in red, rural counties. That puts Texas Republicans in a tough spot, as the White House has encouraged states to let the centers flourish.

The Texas Tribune · May 7

This state agency was created to investigate Texas universities. How that works is a mystery.

Office of the Ombudsman has no written policies on how to investigate allegations that education laws are being broken, even though it’s been accepting complaints for three months.

The Texas Tribune · Apr 3

Texas county rejects a moratorium on data center development amid AI boom

The 3-2 vote from Hood County commissioners Tuesday came after they received a letter from a state senator saying they did not have the power to issue a moratorium.

The Texas Tribune · Feb 11