Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign is hammering Democrat challenger Gina Hinojosa over property taxes.
The campaign says Hinojosa voted to increase property taxes while serving on the Austin ISD school board and later backed more tax increases in the Texas Legislature. Catherine Frazier, communications director for Texans for Greg Abbott, said Hinojosa was 'gaslighting Texans when it comes to affordability.'
Abbott's team says annual property taxes for Texas homeowners in the district rose by more than 50% in four years while Hinojosa served on the board. It also says she voted more than 40 times on legislation increasing property taxes in the Legislature.
Austin ISD budget documents cited by Abbott's campaign say Hinojosa's first year on the board included a vote that increased the average homeowner's property tax bill by nearly $140. The next three years included increases of about $230, more than $170, and more than $330, for a total of about $900 over four years.
Austin ISD's fiscal year 2020 Annual Report says the district's property tax levy increased by $405 million, or 52%, during the period. The district says it sets its tax rate, while property values are determined by the county. Hinojosa's campaign separately says that, as school board president, she 'reduced the rate.'
Why it matters: Property taxes hit homeowners directly. They also shape whether local government grows or gets held to account.
The big picture: Abbott is trying to turn affordability into a tax-and-spend fight. Hinojosa is answering with a claim that she lowered the rate. Voters now have a clean contrast on who should carry the burden.