Why Texas Property Taxes Are Broken and How We Can Fix the Protest Process

For many families in Texas Senate District 5, property taxes feel confusing, frustrating, and

unfair. Homeowners open their appraisal notices each year and see higher values, higher taxes,

and very little explanation. Even when they believe their property value is wrong, the protest

process can feel stacked against them.

I am running for the Texas Senate because this system is not working for the people it is

supposed to serve. We can and should fix it.

The Real Problem Starts With Appraisal Values

One of the biggest misunderstandings about property taxes is what homeowners are actually protesting. When you file a protest, you are not protesting the tax itself. You are protesting the appraised value of your property.

That distinction matters. The appraised value is what drives how much you pay in property taxes. When appraisal values rise sharply, tax bills rise even if tax rates stay the same.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn this. They assume the tax bill is set by a single decision, when in reality it starts with how the appraisal district values your home.

In simple terms:

• The appraisal district assigns a value to your home

• That value is used to calculate your tax bill

• If the value is inaccurate or inflated, everything that follows is affected

This is why appraisal transparency matters so much. Without clear information about how your property was valued, it is nearly impossible to know whether the number is fair.

The Protest Process Is Too Complicated

Texas gives homeowners the right to protest their property’s appraised value, but the process is far more difficult than it needs to be.

Today, when a homeowner files a protest, they often do not automatically receive the information used to determine their appraisal.

Instead, homeowners are expected to:

• Request appraisal data separately

• Track multiple deadlines

• Review technical documents not written for everyday Texans

This creates an uneven playing field. Appraisal districts have access to data, staff, and experience, while homeowners are left trying to catch up while the clock is already running.

A fair system should not require homeowners to jump through hoops just to understand how their property was valued.

Transparency Should Be Automatic

One simple reform would make a meaningful difference. When a homeowner protests their appraisal, the data used to determine that value should be automatically provided.

This should include:

• Comparable properties used in the appraisal

• The valuation methods applied

• Any adjustments made to reach the final value Homeowners should not have to ask, wait, or guess.

Automatic disclosure would not eliminate disagreements, but it would create a fair starting point. It would allow homeowners to review the facts, ask informed questions, and participate in the process with confidence.

Transparency is not about weakening appraisal districts. It is about strengthening trust in the system.

Rising Appraisals Are Hurting Families

Across District 5, rising appraisals are putting pressure on families, retirees, and working households. Even when incomes stay the same, tax bills continue to grow.

For many families, rising appraisals create difficult choices, including:

• Cutting back on savings

• Delaying needed home repairs

• Considering whether they can afford to stay in their home

These are not abstract policy questions. They are real decisions happening at kitchen tables across our district.

Homeownership should provide stability. Instead, too many Texans feel like they are being priced out of the homes they worked hard to buy.

Fixing the System Requires State Action

Property taxes are governed by state law. If we want meaningful reform, we must be willing to update the tax code so it works better for homeowners.

That does not mean blaming local officials or creating confusion. It means recognizing that the rules need to be clearer, fairer, and easier to navigate.

As a state senator, I will focus on reforms that improve transparency, protect homeowners from unfair practices, and restore confidence in the property tax system.

Seniors Deserve More Than Stability

Many seniors are told that their property taxes are frozen once they reach a certain age. While that provides some stability, it does not address the underlying problem of high property taxes.

Seniors on fixed incomes still feel the pressure of rising costs, even when taxes are frozen. That is why we should be talking about meaningful property tax reductions for seniors, not just freezes.

A system that works for seniors is a system that works for everyone.

A Fair Process Benefits Everyone

Reforming the property tax protest process is not about picking sides. It benefits homeowners, appraisal districts, and local communities.

A fair process helps everyone involved:

• Clear rules reduce confusion

• Transparency reduces conflict

• Fair processes build trust

When people understand how decisions are made, they are more likely to accept outcomes, even when they disagree.

Writing Real Reform, Not Just Talking About It

Too often, politicians talk about property tax relief without addressing the system that causes the problem.

I am running to write legislation that fixes the process itself. That starts with transparency, fairness, and accountability.

Texans deserve a property tax system that is understandable, predictable, and fair. We can fix what is broken, and I am ready to do the work.

Moving Forward Together

Property tax reform does not happen overnight, but it begins with acknowledging the problem and committing to real solutions.

As your senator, I will listen, show up, and work to make the system fairer for homeowners across District 5. This campaign is about people, not politics, and that principle guides how I approach every issue.

We can do better, and together, we will.