Senate Bill 23 Passes 30-1, Eliminating School Property Taxes for the Average Senior Homeowner
When I became Lt. Governor in 2015, the homestead exemption was $15,000, and today, the exemption is $100,000, and $110,000 for seniors. In 2023, the $100,000 homestead exemption was permanently codified into the Texas Constitution when voters passed Proposition 4 with 83% of voters in support. This made the $100,000 homestead exemption permanent, and homeowners will receive tax relief every single year, forever.
Earlier this session, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 4 to increase the homestead exemption to $140,000 and $150,000 for seniors. When savings from SB 23, SB 4, and SB 1 are combined, the average Texas senior homeowner will save $950.87 on their property taxes. That is real tax relief.
Because property taxes are frozen for seniors, the combined $200,000 homestead exemption means school property taxes would be ELIMINATED for the average Texas senior homeowner. I believe we have a real opportunity to deliver this historic victory for Texas seniors! I thank Sen. Bettencourt, R-Houston, for his shared commitment to delivering meaningful property tax relief for Texans.
Click here to learn more about Senate Bill 23 and Senate Joint Resolution 85.
My Latest Video in the Lottery Saga
Click to watch my latest video on the lottery saga.
The Largest School Choice Launch in American History
Yesterday marked a day I have worked toward for more than a decade since I was Senate Education Chair in 2013, and it was a great day for Texas students and parents. As Lt. Governor, I have prioritized school choice, and the Texas Senate has passed school choice six times since 2015. All of the previous bills died in the Texas House, and I am so glad they have finally passed SB 2 this session.
Following the Texas Senate’s acceptance of House amendments to SB 2, educational choice will soon be the law of the land in Texas. I thank Senate Education Chair Brandon Creighton for his diligent work with my staff and me, and I thank Speaker Dustin Burrows, Rep. Brad Buckley, and Gov. Greg Abbott for their teamwork in getting SB 2 over the finish line.
“Today is a day I have worked toward for more than a decade, since I was a senator and the Chair of Senate Education in 2013. It is a great day for Texas students and parents!”
Promises Made, Promises Kept
Following former Speaker Phelan’s failed 2023 impeachment of the Texas attorney general, I was very critical of the House’s process. I vowed to pass legislation to improve the impeachment process for future legislatures.
Promises made, promises kept.
In 2023, House members were rushed into taking an impeachment vote without proper time to deliberate or even see the evidence themselves. No witnesses were placed under oath by the House General Investigating Committee. As a result, witness testimony fell apart when they were placed under oath at trial in the Senate. Former Speaker Phelan did all he could to cover up the true cost of impeachment from taxpayers. It took Texans over 18 months to learn the truth: Phelan’s failed political gambit cost taxpayers over $5.1 million.
It is now time to look forward. Sen. Birdwell’s, R-Granbury, bill and joint resolution are about making sure future impeachments, should they be necessary, are fair for the accused and fully transparent for taxpayers.
Click here to learn more about Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68.
All Twenty Republican Members of the Texas Senate Have Come Together to Endorse My Reelection Campaign
I am truly honored to have all 20 Republican Senators come forward to join my reelection campaign. I have the pleasure of working with these 20 great men and women every day. They are super smart, hardworking, and passionate about representing the conservative majority in Texas as well as all Texans. It’s their strong conservative principles and teamwork that make this institution work well.
President Trump was the first to endorse my reelection.
With less than six weeks left in the Session, my focus remains on the people’s business at the Capitol. I am prepared for a tough, physical reelection and fully committed to serving another four years as Texas Lt. Governor.
DOGE, Texas Style, Will Ensure the Texas Miracle Continues Long Into the 21st Century
On Wednesday, I joined Governor Greg Abbott and Speaker Dustin Burrows for the signing of Senate Bill 14, DOGE, Texas Style – Improving Government Efficiency, by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford. DOGE, Texas Style, will ensure the Texas Miracle continues long into the 21st century. Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in taxpayers' pockets. Our conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our state the best place to do business in America and across the globe.
It’s great to see the first bill of this session signed into law.
The Texas Senate Is Not Taking Its Foot Off the Gas Pedal
The Texas Senate is firing on all cylinders, and we will not be stopping anytime soon.
These priority bills have passed the Texas Senate so far:
Senate Bill 1 – Senate’s Budget for Texas
Senate Bill 2 – Providing School Choice
Senate Bill 3 – Banning THC in Texas
Senate Bill 4 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for Seniors)
Senate Bill 5 – Combatting Dementia and Alzheimer’s – Establishing DPRIT (Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas)
Senate Bill 6 – Increasing Texas’ Electric Grid Reliability
Senate Bill 7 – Increasing Investments in Texas’ Water Supply
Senate Bill 8 – Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts
Senate Bill 9 – Reforming Bail – Keeping Violent Criminals Off Our Streets
Senate Bill 10 – Placing the Ten Commandments in Schools
Senate Bill 11 – Protecting the Freedom to Pray in Schools
Senate Bill 12 – Establishing a Parental Bill of Rights
Senate Bill 13 – Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools
Senate Bill 14 – Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency
Senate Bill 15 – Removing Barriers to Housing Affordability
Senate Bill 16 – Stopping Non-Citizens from Voting
Senate Bill 17 – Stopping Foreign Adversaries’ Land Grabs
Senate Bill 18 – Banning Drag Time Story Hour
Senate Bill 19 – Stopping Taxpayer Dollars for Lobbyists
Senate Bill 20 – Stopping AI-Generated Child Pornography
Senate Bill 21 – Establishing the Texas Bitcoin Reserve
Senate Bill 22 – Generating Significant Returns for the Texas Economy
Senate Bill 23 – Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $200,000 for Seniors *
Senate Bill 24 – Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism
Senate Bill 25 – Making Texas Healthy Again
Senate Bill 26 – Increasing Teacher Pay
Senate Bill 27 – Establishing a Teacher Bill of Rights
Senate Bill 28 – Banning Lottery Couriers
Senate Bill 29 – Texas: Open for Business
Senate Bill 30 – Curbing Nuclear Verdicts
Senate Bill 32 – Business Tax Relief
Senate Bill 33 – Stopping Taxpayer-Funded Abortion Travel
Senate Bill 34 – Wildfire Response
Senate Bill 35 – Competing for Quality Roads
Senate Bill 36 – Establishing a Homeland Security Division within DPS
Senate Bill 37 – Reforming Faculty Senates
Senate Bill 38 – Stopping Squatters
Senate Bill 39 – Protecting Texas Trucking *
Senate Bill 40 – Bail Reform
Bills marked with an asterisk (*) were passed this week.
Click here to view my top 40 priority bills.
Thank you for all your support over the years and for everything you do to keep Texas red. May God bless you and your family, and may He continue to bless the greatest state of all—Texas.
Sincerely,
Dan Patrick
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
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"Whomever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant."
Matthew 20:26 (NLT)
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