Overview
- Patrick proposes adding $40,000 to the state school homestead exemption, lifting the minimum to $180,000 after voters raised it to $140,000 in November.
- He would lower the age for the senior/disability exemption to 55, extending the freeze on qualifying homeowners’ school tax bills earlier in life.
- Patrick estimates the package would cost about $4 billion every two years and warns that eliminating school property taxes would require sales tax of at least 14%.
- A third plank aims to limit local tax growth by cities, counties, and other local governments, though Patrick did not provide implementation details.
- The rollout contrasts with Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign plan to abolish school property taxes and cap appraisals; Abbott argues the state can fund cuts without raising other taxes as lawmakers have already set aside $51 billion for relief in the current budget.