Memorial Day serves as a meaningful moment for us to honor and remember those who selflessly laid down their lives so that our freedom endures. While Memorial Day is one of solemn reflection, it’s also a day to celebrate and cherish the values and freedom our fallen heroes fought to protect.
As we embrace the long weekend, let’s remember that we’re afforded the opportunity to enjoy our favorite summer activities because of the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price. God bless their sacrifice; God bless their memory; and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol…
Capitol Update
This week, the House took action to increase the amount of homestead exemptions that will lower property taxes for millions of homeowners across Texas. Senate Bill 4 provides additional property tax relief to homeowners in Texas by increasing the homestead property tax exemption from $100,000 to $140,000.
S.B. 4 also provides protections for public school districts against a loss in funds as a result of increased exemptions by entitling school districts to state aid for general funding and debt obligations.
Additionally, the House passed Senate Bill 23 this week to provide additional property tax relief to elderly and disabled homeowners, along with an increase to the general homestead exemption proposed by S.B. 4. This legislation raises the property tax exemption for seniors who are 65 or older and disabled Texans from $110,000 to $200,000.
Both of these property tax bills will be contingent on voter approval in this coming November’s constitutional amendment election. I am proud to serve as a co-author of both S.B. 4 and S.B. 23 to deliver much-needed relief to Texans struggling under the burden of property taxes while also ensuring our schools remain funded..
The House also took up vital measures this week to ensure we keep dangerous criminals off the street and in jail where they belong. Senate Bill 9 reforms Texas’s bail system to ensure that activist judges or “charitable organizations” cannot enable the release of violent offenders back onto our streets.
Additionally, the House passed Senate Bill 40 to prohibit the use of public funds to pay a nonprofit organization that accepts and uses donations to pay a defendant’s bail. I am proud to have supported both of these measures to keep violent criminals off of our streets.
The mobile office is on the road again in June and our district director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: June 4 at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:30-11:30 am, June 11 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; June 18 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 pm.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
