AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, responded to the court’s decision supporting the Travis Appraisal Review Board in a lawsuit filed by the city of Austin to “rewrite” state tax policy this week in Austin, Texas.
“This ruling is a victory for the taxpayers of Texas,” Paxton said in his statement. “The city of Austin’s attempt to rewrite Texas law was beyond the scope of their authority and put all property owners in the state at risk of higher taxes.”
The city of Austin had attempted to challenge the Travis Appraisal Review Board’s assessment of certain business properties in what the municipality had perceived as “undervaluation.” Additionally, the city made an effort to undermine Texas tax policies by using the argument that the state’s appraisal procedures were unconstitutional.
“We are pleased the judge ultimately dismissed this lawsuit, giving Texans a voice against unlawful efforts to increase tax revenue without input from lawmakers or taxpayers,” the attorney general said. Paxton’s office interceded for the state on Oct. 29 following a district court’s action to prohibit homeowners from becoming involved.
Austin stakeholders had pushed an agenda claiming that homeowners unfairly shouldered too much of the tax burden in comparison with commercial property owners.