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Finding the Vote: Legislators Address Appraisal Cap Concerns
Gaining support for appraisal caps is going to take time, but Montgomery County legislators say they’re doing their best to get the necessary votes.
State senators Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, and Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, along with representatives John Otto, R-Dayton, and Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, spoke at a legislative appreciation luncheon hosted by the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.
Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, was unable to attend because he was meeting with Gov. Rick Perry in Austin.
During the 80th legislative session that ended in May, Montgomery County lawmakers proposed and supported appraisal cap bills, but all lacked broad support in Austin.
“Only eight people voted for it in the Senate,” Williams said. “That’s eight out of 31. . . We’ve got a long way to go.”
To pass appraisal cap legislation, two-thirds of the Senate and the House would have to approve the measure because it would require a constitutional amendment, Nichols said.
“At least now we know who our eight supporters are,” Nichols said with a laugh.
As a freshman representative, Creighton introduced a local bill that would only bring appraisal caps to Montgomery County residents.
“But that brought vicious opposition,” Creighton said. “I think I got an ‘A’ for being creative.”
Instead of addressing appraisal caps directly this session, Otto presented eight bills, four of which passed, that would reform the appraisal process in an effort to bring property tax relief.
“It’s all about finding the vote,” Otto said. “As the pain spreads across this state, you will see more people coming on board.”
During a phone interview, Eissler said he believes that voters will see more movement on appraisal caps during the next session.
Another issue addressed during the panel was immigration, which legislators addressed this session by dedicating $274 million in state money toward fighting organized crime along the border. To a man, the lawmakers agree the federal government needs to take action on border security.
Lucretia Fernandez can be reached at .
