The Houston Chronicle Takes on Chapter 313

I don’t usually find a lot worth quoting in the mainstream media. But the Houston Chronicle as been on a bit of a rampage of late against corporate welfare in the form of Chapter 313 property tax abatements offered by Texas school districts to big businesses–especially renewable energy wind and solar farms:

“As millions of Texans struggle with the economic devastation of COVID-19, the biggest corporate tax giveaway in Texas has helped businesses cut more than $10 billion from their property taxes — and there are no limits on the program’s exponential growth.

“The gusher of tax incentives is flowing to firms ranging from petrochemical plants on the Gulf Coast to sprawling wind farms in the Panhandle. Companies are saving billions by promising to bring their business to Texas — even if evidence suggests some never would have gone anywhere else.

“Meanwhile, nothing has changed during the pandemic for Texas homeowners who must pay their property tax bills on time or face stiff penalties.” – Mike Morris, John Tedesco, Stephanie Lamm.

You really ought to go play their Billion Dollar Texas Tax Giveaway. It is brilliant in the way it lays bare the lies behind the myth of government “economic development” programs. 

Chapter 313 is scheduled to expire in 2022. Proponents, like Rep. Jim Murphy, had intended to renew and expand it this session. However, Murphy’s bill got shot down in the Texas House, while a simple two year extension failed to make it out of the Texas Senate. However, 313 abatements are not dead yet. Governor Greg Abbott has already promised to call a special session in the Fall. If he decides to put it on the call, Chapter 313 may still have a chance. Let’s pray Abbott is somehow persuaded not to do this.