Texas Governor Abbott Proposes Ban on Raising Property Taxes for Cities That Cut Police Department Funding

Strategic Insights -

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced a proposal to ban raising property taxes in any city that cuts its police department funding, assailing plans to reduce police budgets as a threat to public safety. Abbott's announcement came as cities across the nation are being pressed to reevaluate the role of police in response to the widespread protests that followed George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Abbott's proposal sets up a possible clash between local and state officials in Texas on an issue that has tormented city councils nationwide this summer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) proposed a ban on raising property taxes in any city that cuts its police department funding, calling such plans a threat to public safety.
  • Abbott's announcement came nearly a week after Austin's city council voted to slash its police budget by $21.5 million, and as cities across the nation are being pressed to reevaluate the role of police.
  • The proposal sets up a possible clash between local and state officials in Texas on an issue that has tormented city councils nationwide this summer.
  • The Republican-controlled legislature would need to approve the plan when it reconvenes in January, and the proposal's success will hinge on the November election as Democrats vie to flip Republican-held seats in the House.
  • Top state Republicans have supported the governor's move to crack down on cities, but many Democrats have denounced the proposal, signaling that votes could split along party lines.
  • Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D) defended the city council's move to cut Austin's police budget, calling it a "haircut," not a gut job, and said the city did not lay off any officers or have a detrimental impact on emergency response.
  • Other cities have sought to rethink their police funding in response to extended protests, but the debate over what policing should look like has played out in sharply different ways; some cities have approved cuts, while others have approved increases in police funding.

Statistics:

  • $21.5 million: The amount that Austin's city council voted to slash from its police budget.
  • $150 million: The amount that the Los Angeles city council agreed to take from the police department's $1.1 billion budget.
  • $50 million: The amount that would be set aside in a fund that focuses on reimagining policing in Austin.
  • $80 million: The amount that Austin will decouple from police duties and allocate for civilian functions such as forensics, administrative services, and internal affairs.

Sources:

  • Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R)
  • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R)
  • Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R)
  • Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R)
  • Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D)
  • President Trump
  • Attorney General William P. Barr
  • Seattle City Council
  • Minneapolis City Council
  • Omaha City Council
  • Los Angeles City Council
  • Black Legislative Caucus