Property taxes remain one of the most important issues in Texas politics as lawmakers face mounting pressure to deliver lasting relief while maintaining essential public services.
Voters and policymakers alike are debating whether recent reforms go far enough, or whether structural changes are needed to rein in the spending that drives tax increases.
Jeramy Kitchen argues that meaningful reform requires more than temporary fixes—it demands a fundamental shift in how Texas approaches taxation and accountability.
Kitchen serves as president of Texas Policy Research and is a leading voice behind the Texas Liberty Compact, a reform effort aimed at reshaping the state’s fiscal and governance framework. His work focuses on reducing government overreach, increasing transparency, and advancing policies that prioritize Texas taxpayers.
Kitchen says property tax relief must focus on tax rate compression rather than exemptions. “Compression is the only way to actually lower your property tax bill,” he says, arguing that exemption-based approaches often provide short-term relief and don’t address the underlying drivers of rising taxes. Exemptions, he says, shift tax burdens from homeowners to renters and businesses rather than reduce them.
According to Kitchen, government spending is the core issue. “If you don’t control spending, you’re never going to control property taxes,” he says. Rising budgets at the local level continue to push tax bills higher, even when lawmakers pass relief measures. Without structural limits on spending growth, he argues, taxpayers will continue to face escalating property tax bills.
Kitchen also criticizes taxpayer-funded lobbying, which he describes as a system that allows local governments to use public funds to advocate against taxpayer interests. “You’ve got cities and counties hiring lobbyists with your tax dollars to go to Austin and lobby for more of your tax dollars,” he says.
Eliminating this practice, he argues, would improve accountability and reduce barriers to the structural changes he believes will reduce property tax burdens.
The Texas Liberty Compact outlines a series of reforms. Kitchen describes it as a framework for long-term change rather than a single policy proposal. “It’s about putting guardrails in place,” he says, emphasizing the need for structural reforms that outlast individual legislative sessions.
Among those reforms, Kitchen highlights the importance of transparency and voter control. Taxpayers should have clearer insight into how funds are spent and greater authority to approve increases. “People want to know where their money is going,” he says, arguing that trust in government depends on openness and accountability.
Kitchen also believes the political landscape is shifting in favor of substantial reform. Recent election cycles, he notes, have brought new lawmakers to Austin who are more aligned with reform efforts. “Voters are paying attention,” he says, suggesting that political pressure will continue to drive policy debates.
At the same time, he warns that entrenched interests remain a significant obstacle. “The system benefits from the status quo,” he says, pointing to resistance from those who gain from existing policies. Overcoming that resistance will require sustained engagement from both policymakers and the public.
Kitchen also emphasizes the broader economic implications of property tax policy. High and unpredictable tax burdens can discourage investment and limit growth, particularly for small businesses and homeowners. “This impacts everyone,” he says, framing tax reform as both a fiscal and economic priority.
Looking ahead, Kitchen sees the upcoming legislative sessions as a critical opportunity to implement lasting reforms. Short-term fixes, he argues, will not be enough to address the scale of the problem. “We have to do this right,” he says, stressing the importance of comprehensive solutions.
Want the news delivered straight to your inbox?
The top news stories covering Texas government will be delivered to your inbox weekly