Governor Greg Abbott officially launched his campaign for a historic fourth term Sunday in Houston, pledging to give Texans greater power over local taxes through an expansive property tax reform plan, including a proposal that would let voters decide whether to abolish school district property taxes altogether.
“Local governments must live within their own means — just like you have to live within your means,” Abbott told supporters at the rally. “I want all property tax increases to be voted on and approved by two-thirds of voters.”
According to The Dallas Morning News, Gov. Abbott announced his plan to “overhaul the property tax system” and put “the power with the people.”
A week after voters approved several property tax-related constitutional amendments, Abbott used the event to outline his six-point property tax plan, the centerpiece of his reelection campaign:
- Limiting Local Spending. Local government spending growth would be capped at a rate tied to population growth and inflation or a flat 3.5%, whichever is lower. Abbott’s plan also suggests extending state-level fiscal restraints, such as the debt limit and ban on deficit spending, to all levels of government.
- Voter Control Over Tax Increases. All local property tax hikes would need approval from two-thirds of voters in the affected area.
- Voters Have a Say on Tax Reductions. If 15% of registered voters in a locality signed a petition, it would trigger a rollback election to reduce existing property tax rates. Abbott’s campaign said this would “help constrain the growth and spending of local governments,” reported The Dallas Morning News.
- Five-Year Appraisal Cycle for Predictability. Property appraisals would occur once every five years to prevent what Abbott called “surprises” and reduce annual protests.
- Limiting Annual Property Value Increases. The plan lowers the annual cap on homestead appraisal growth from 10% to 3% and extends the limit to all properties, including rentals and businesses.
- Proposal to Abolish School District Taxes. Texans would be able to vote on a constitutional amendment to abolish school district property taxes, which currently make up the largest share of homeowners’ bills.
Abbott’s proposal would require legislative approval to advance, including a two-thirds vote in both the Texas House and Senate to place any constitutional amendment on the ballot.
According to The Dallas Morning News, former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said that replacing property taxes with sales taxes “creates an unfair burden on poor folks” and risks “an unfortunate division between the haves and the have-nots.”
Abbott, who has served as governor since 2015, touted his record $51 billion in property tax relief this session, which is the largest in state history, and said the reforms would prevent local governments from undoing those savings. He also emphasized conservative priorities on education, border security, and economic growth.
“What we have in Texas is precious. But it can all be destroyed in one bad election,” Abbott said, as reported by The Texas Tribune. “We will defend this great state. We will leave our children and grandchildren a Texas that is safer, stronger, freer and more prosperous than ever before.”
If Abbott wins reelection, he could become the longest-serving governor in Texas history, surpassing Rick Perry’s 14 years in office.
Democratic challengers, including state Rep. Gina Hinojosa of Austin and Andrew White, criticized Abbott’s record on education and affordability.
Hinojosa wrote on X, “Under Greg Abbott, our costs have gone up, our health care remains expensive and out of reach, and our public schools have been defunded. He does not deserve an unprecedented 4th term.”
White also took aim at Abbott’s tenure, posting on X, “Texans can’t afford another four years of Greg.”
With nearly $90 million in campaign funds and a strong Republican majority in the Legislature, Abbott enters the 2026 election cycle positioning himself both as a defender of conservative governance and an architect of one of the most ambitious property tax reforms in Texas history.
