“I have grave concerns that municipalities across Texas have blatantly violated the law in an attempt to crank up people’s property taxes,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “My message to these cities is this: don’t mess with Texas taxpayers. Local governments must abide by the law, and I will take every step to defend the people of Texas and their hard-earned dollars.”
During the regular legislative session this year, the legislature passed bills to impose additional restrictions on localities levying property taxes. Among them was SB 1851, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law. It went into effect Sept. 1.
It authorizes the attorney general to determine if a city government complied with municipal auditing requirements. Texas Local Government Code stipulates that municipalities must have their records and accounts audited every year and prepare their financial statements based on the audit. All related documents must be filed in the office of the municipal secretary or clerk within 180 days after the last day of the municipality’s fiscal year.
If this isn’t done, citizens have the right to file a complaint with the OAG to investigate. If the OAG investigates and determines a municipality is in violation of the law, the OAG may then prohibit it from adopting an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the no-new revenue tax rate, according to the law.
Cities that don’t meet the state’s auditing requirements are then restricted to only increase taxes enough to maintain the previous year’s amount of revenue, according to the law.
The municipalities being investigated either submitted their reports late or not at all, according to the complaints filed. They also increased property taxes by up to 51%, well above the legally allowed no-new-revenue rate stipulated by state law.
After the leaders of the governments of La Marque, Odessa, Tom Bean and Whitesboro passed property tax increases that appeared to violate the law, taxpayers complained to the OAG, which launched investigations.
Paxton sent a letter to the mayors and city council members of each city stating, “I am formally launching an investigation into the [respective city] to determine whether the new tax rate is illegal. Furthermore, I am demanding that the new tax rate not be implemented until I complete my investigation.”
His letter to La Marque’s mayor and city council states they didn’t comply with filing requirements, filing documents six months after the deadline. His letter to Whitesboro’s mayor and city council makes a similar claim, stating they filed the required documents three months after the deadline.
Paxton’s letter to Odessa’s mayor and city council states his office hasn’t been able to find an audit report or financial statement for the previous fiscal year. It states the city’s last publicly published audit was from fiscal 2023.
His letter to Tom Bean’s mayor and city council makes a similar claim, stating the city’s last published audit was from fiscal 2020, which was uploaded online in 2022.
The letters order the officials of each city to not implement the tax hikes and requests a range of financial information and documents be submitted to his office.
“Texans deserve government at all levels that understands the impact of taxes on economic prosperity and keeps dollars in their pockets,” Paxton said. “Burdensome tax increases are antithetical to the spirit that drives Texas and require the utmost scrutiny both by the citizenry and by the State.”
Preparing for the Unexpected: Your Essential Partner in Health Readiness
In an increasingly unpredictable world—where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and global travel can leave us vulnerable to sudden health challenges—being prepared isn’t just smart; it’s essential.
That’s where Jase Medical steps in, offering innovative solutions that empower individuals and families to take control of their health with emergency medication kits designed for real-life scenarios. As someone who’s always advocated for proactive wellness, I was impressed by how Jase Medical combines expert medical guidance with convenient, customizable options to ensure you’re never caught off guard.
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And for targeted concerns, Jase Medical offers specialized kits like the UTI Kit ($99.95), which includes test strips and treatments for urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, and even jock itch, or the Parasites Kit (starting at $199.95), featuring compounded Ivermectin and Mebendazole to combat internal and external parasitic infections.
But Jase Medical isn’t just about one-off kits; their Jase Daily service provides an extended supply of your ongoing prescriptions, supporting hundreds of medications for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart health, high blood pressure, mental health, and more. This ensures long-term preparedness, safeguarding against factory shutdowns or extreme weather that could interrupt your regular supply.
The process couldn’t be simpler or more reassuring. Start by customizing your order online, then benefit from a thorough review by a team of world-class physicians who ensure safety and accuracy. In most cases, prescriptions are issued after a quick consultation—sometimes just a call to clarify allergies or needs—and your kit arrives discreetly at your door. While they don’t accept traditional health insurance, many customers use HSA cards, and refills are available for added convenience.
What truly stands out is the real-world impact. As radio host Glenn Beck puts it, “The supply lines for antibiotics already are stressed to the max. Please have some antibiotics on hand… You can do it through Jase.”
One satisfied customer shared, “It could have been a nightmare. Instead, the best trip we’ve had,” after their kit turned a potential health crisis into a minor blip during a family vacation.
In a time when health uncertainties loom larger than ever, Jase Medical isn’t just selling products—it’s delivering empowerment. Don’t wait for the next disruption; visit Patriot.TV/meds today to build your personalized emergency plan and step into a more secure tomorrow. Your health, and your family’s, deserves nothing less.
