Tarrant County Proves That Cutting Taxes Is Possible!

Governor Greg Abbott traveled to Fort Worth this week alongside Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare and Commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez to highlight what conservative leadership at the local level can accomplish. Tarrant County has lowered its property tax rate for three consecutive years and is now proposing a fourth consecutive reduction. 

And here's the part taxpayers should pay close attention to: Tarrant County has managed to reduce taxes while continuing to fund essential services and increase compensation for law enforcement.

When Texans complain about their property tax bills, the conversation frequently focuses on Austin. And while the state has an important role to play in providing lasting property tax relief, we cannot ignore one of the biggest reasons Texans' property tax bills remain so high: local taxing entities.

Counties, cities, school districts, hospital districts, community colleges, and other local entities all have the ability to levy taxes and spend taxpayer dollars. Many local governments have operated under the assumption that if property values rise, government revenue should rise with them.

Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare deserves credit for demonstrating that fiscal conservatism doesn't require abandoning essential government services.

The county's proposed budget would lower the property tax rate for the fourth consecutive year while maintaining funding for public safety and mental health services. The proposal also includes pay increases for county employees, including increases of up to 4 percent for law enforcement officers. 

Judge O'Hare himself has emphasized that taxpayers' money should not be treated as government's money to spend. That is exactly the attitude we need from elected officials across Texas.

Local governments need to start looking at their budgets the same way Texas families look at their household budgets. What is essential? What is wasteful? What can be eliminated? What can be postponed? How much of the taxpayer's money actually needs to be taken in the first place? Those are questions that should be asked before raising taxes, not afterward.

While Tarrant County is showing what can be accomplished locally, Judge O'Hare has also recognized an important limitation: a county can only control one portion of a homeowner's property tax bill.

Governor Abbott's property tax proposal for the legislative session beginning in 2027 would establish limits on local government spending, require two-thirds voter approval for local tax increases, expand taxpayers' ability to trigger rollback elections, and provide greater predictability for property owners. 

These reforms would help ensure taxpayers have a stronger voice when local governments want to increase their tax burden.