ABBOTT BRINGS AFFORDABILITY AGENDA TO AMARILLO AS HINOJOSA FIRES BACK

ABBOTT BRINGS AFFORDABILITY AGENDA TO AMARILLO AS HINOJOSA FIRES BACK

Governor Greg Abbott stopped in Amarillo Wednesday for a roundtable discussion focused on property taxes, insurance costs, higher education and other household expenses.

Abbott said his goal is to make Texas “number 1 for affordability” by restricting spending growth among property taxing entities, requiring approval from two thirds of voters before certain property tax increases and reducing the annual homestead appraisal growth limit from 10 percent to 3 percent.

Abbott also proposed shifting more responsibility for public school funding from homeowners to the state.

“That’s the state’s responsibility, and the state should take that responsibility and fully fund public education in the state of Texas, not your homestead,” Abbott said.

His agenda also calls for reducing home, automobile and health insurance expenses while lowering the cost of earning a college degree. Abbott additionally highlighted rural investments, Amarillo public safety grants and expanded telehealth services. The proposals would require action from lawmakers and, in some cases, approval from Texas voters before taking effect.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa responded by criticizing Abbott’s record on affordability and the use of public money for data centers, surveillance cameras, school vouchers and corporate incentives.

“Too little, too late,” Hinojosa said, arguing that Texans have faced increasing expenses throughout Abbott’s time in office. Her statement described the governor’s policies as favoring wealthy corporate donors, although those claims represent the campaign’s position and were not established as findings in the announcement.

Abbott and Hinojosa are scheduled to face each other in the November election, placing property taxes, insurance rates, education funding and the broader cost of living near the center of the race.

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