Ag-use Exemption: Fact or Fiction?
A Reprint from Tierra Grande, the Real Estate Center Journal 1/2000 (RESVISED 1/2010)

Prospective buyers of rural or fringe property generally inquire about the tax status of the land. They want to know if the property qualifies and receives the agricultural use (ag use) exemption. A substantial tax saving may be achieved if it does.

While the question is valid, any answer is suspect. The Texas Tax Code (the code) affords no land a tax reduction known as an ag use exemption. The confusion stems from the misuse of terms. ...READ MORE

Lawmakers discuss tax concerns
Amarillo Global News 8/10/06

State Reps. John Smithee, Warren Chisum and David Swinford discussed results of a recent special legislative session that addressed public school finance during a public forum at the Region 16 Education Support Center on Wednesday.

The forum, hosted by the Home and Land Owner's Association of Texas, a homeowners' advocacy group founded by East Texas businessman Ben Bius, was created to call attention to the escalating property taxes of Texas landowners. ...READ MORE

Chisum views school finance bill as a success
The Pampa News 8/2006

AMARILLO - Pampa's State Representative thinks the school finance bill passed in last spring's special session is a major success, but he also thinks it will be critical to revisit it when the Texas Legislature meets again during their regular session in January.

“I kind of liked House Bill 1,” State Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, told a group of about three dozen Wednesday night at an Amarillo meeting of the Texas Panhandle legislators. “It was the one that I introduced and we passed and it got us out of the dilemma that we called the special session for because it funded schools.” ...READ MORE

School funding hot topic at forum
Huntsville Item 3/31/08

During a forum on education and taxation held in Huntsville on Thursday, several of the state’s top lawmakers spoke on the current state of school finance and property taxes and their expectations for the upcoming Legislative session.

In the forum, hosted by the Home and Land Owners’ Association of Texas, policy makers did not deny they are grappling with school finance — in particular, that the school finance system relies too heavily on local property taxes — or that they have different opinions about possible solutions. ...READ MORE

Session needs to focus on tax relief
Navasota Examiner 4/26/06

The special session of the legislature called by the governor to address public school finance and tax relief has now begun. Texas property owners must join together for this upcoming debate because it will decide if lobbyists win and taxpayers lose, again.

We must say loud and clear that we have been overtaxed. We must make sure that legislators are responsible with our tax dollars. There is a long line of people demanding taxpayer dollars from the legislature. Our legislators must resist the temptation to throw more money at every problem presented to them. ... READ MORE

As the Texas Legislature continues its 'Summer of Strife'...
North Texas E-News 8/10/05

As the Texas Legislature continues its "Summer of Strife," lawmakers are hearing the voices of many who have vested interests in reform of the state's tax structure. Lobbyists for big business, special interest groups, teachers' unions, and others have descended upon the Capitol to bring all their political muscle to bear on legislators.

But not all voices are being heard clearly in this process. While well healed groups of tax consumers have lobbyists by the score, property owners - who currently contribute 60% of all taxes in this state - appear to have been drowned out. ... READ MORE  

A BETTER WAY: I-69 CORRIDORR

I-69 Corridor Plan ignores years of support and planning for the growth of Texas and the commitments of its leaders. This initiative has caused many good leaders to become un-focused on what is best for Texas and their constituents for the benefit of a foreign global goal. ...READ MORE

MORTAGES FOR TEXAS - WHAT TO DO?

It’s a Wonderful Life. Jimmy Stewart had the answer in the classic movie. Do you remember? Jimmy Stewart played a conservative savings and loan owner. An evil banker, Mr. Potter, wanted to take over the savings and loan so he could be the only bank in town. Jimmy Stewart saw a bleak future if Mr. Potter took over. The movie has come true. ...READ MORE