On a foggy morning of October 2, 1835, a fight erupted in Gonzales, marking the beginning of the War for Texas Independence. The conflict began when a Mexican commander, informed that Texas settlers had refused to hand over a small cannon, sent 100 soldiers to reclaim it. Facing them were about 140 Texan rebels, standing their ground under a hastily made flag that defiantly proclaimed, “Come And Take It.” With that, the first shots of the Texas Revolution rang out.
This pivotal day would forever change the course of Texas history. The iconic “Come And Take It” flag has since become a lasting symbol of Texas pride, representing the unwavering courage and determination that still define the Texas spirit, nearly two centuries later. The events at Gonzales ignited a movement that ultimately shaped our state’s enduring identity.
With that piece of history, we’ll step back into our examination of House interim charges …
House Interim Charge: Ways and Means
The Texas House Committee on Ways and Means oversees matters related to state revenue, encompassing taxation, state funding, and financial resource administration. The committee has jurisdiction over the Office of Multistate Tax Compact Commissioner for Texas and the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Its primary focus includes shaping economic policy, managing property taxes, and ensuring effective revenue collection for the state budget, playing a pivotal role in the fiscal health of Texas and the allocation of state funds.
During last year’s second special session, the committee was instrumental in passing Senate Bill 2, a significant piece of legislation that provided approximately $18 billion in broad property tax relief. This bill reduced school district property tax rates by compressing the maximum tax rate, effectively lowering the overall tax burden for Texas homeowners and businesses. Complementing Senate Bill 2, the committee also advanced Senate Bill 3, which raised the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $40,000 to $100,000, significantly reducing the taxable value of homes and easing the financial strain on homeowners. Together, these measures reflect the committee’s commitment to delivering property tax relief while balancing the needs of school districts and local governments.
Over the interim, the Texas House Committee on Ways and Means has been tasked with monitoring the implementation of key legislation passed by the 88th Legislature, including overseeing the effects of Senate Bill 2 and House Joint Resolution 2, which provide property tax relief through reforms in public school finance and property tax administration.
Perhaps most importantly, the committee has been directed to assess the effectiveness of Senate Bill 2 and House Joint Resolution 2 in lowering property taxes and make recommendations for future policy proposals to further reduce the property tax burden on Texas taxpayers.
The mobile office is on the road again in September, and our district director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates at the following times: October 2 at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine from 9:30-11:30 a.m. October 9 at the Polk County Commissioners Courtroom in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the Tyler County Commissioner’s Courtroom in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and October 16 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
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 and my Capitol office may be reached at 512-463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my official Facebook page, where I will be posting regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and sharing information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
