Cities and counties serve more than just the citizens who live there. They serve the businesses who employ thousands of Texans. And, in the vein that businesses are citizens, we oppose a tax cap as it is written that would be levied on our cities and counties with the passage of HB 2. We all understand the need for property tax relief. And, as property owners ourselves, we can appreciate the desire of our elected officials to help their constituents. But, a 2.5 percent tax cap is too low, and all that will do is make Texas an undesirable place to live and do business. The result could be harmful, with cities and counties unable to maintain property around businesses, which, in turn, would make economic development and relocation recruitment much more difficult. Please don’t tie the hands of our cities and counties with an unmanageable property tax cap. Focus on school finance reform as the true means to property tax relief. Vote ‘No’ to HB 2 as it’s written with a 2.5 percent property tax cap.

Tying the hands of our cities and counties with a 2.5 percent property tax cap will impede the Texas Miracle that our leaders have worked so hard to build. We all understand the need for property tax relief. And, as property owners ourselves, we can appreciate the desire of our elected officials to help their constituents. But, a 2.5 percent tax cap is too low, and all that will do is make Texas an undesirable place to live and do business. The result could be harmful, with cities and counties unable to maintain property around businesses, which, in turn, would make economic development and relocation recruitment much more difficult. Businesses are citizens too, and we rely on the same services as homeowners. Please don’t tie the hands of our cities and counties with an unmanageable property tax cap. Focus on school finance reform as the true means to property tax relief. Vote ‘No’ to HB 2 as it’s written with a 2.5 percent property tax cap.

As community and business leaders, we all understand the need for property tax relief. And, as property owners ourselves, we can appreciate the desire of our elected officials to help their constituents. But, a 2.5 percent tax cap is too low, and all that will do is make Texas an undesirable place to live and do business. The result could be harmful, with cities and counties unable to maintain property around businesses, which, in turn, would make economic development and relocation recruitment much more difficult. Please don’t tie the hands of our cities and counties with an unmanageable property tax cap. Focus on school finance reform as the true means to property tax relief. Vote ‘No’ to HB 2 as it’s written with a 2.5 percent property tax cap.