A $7.5 billion check from the federal government could be headed toward property tax relief for Texans.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday that he wants to use as much of Texas’ recent border-security reimbursement as possible to reduce property taxes, while maintaining funding for the state’s ongoing border operations.
Abbott made the comments at the Governor’s Mansion, where he was joined by law enforcement officials to commemorate October as Texas Law Enforcement Appreciation Month.
Presenting alongside an oversized check made out from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to the “People of Texas” for $7.5 billion, Abbott highlighted the federal government’s reimbursement of costs incurred by Texas under Operation Lone Star.
Asked by Texas Scorecard how he anticipates the $7.5 billion being used during the next legislative session and whether it should go toward property tax relief, Abbott said the final allocation will be worked out with lawmakers.
“You know me. I want to dedicate as much as possible to property tax relief,” Abbott said.
But Abbott said some of the money will also need to support the state’s continued border-security efforts.
“Our job of securing the border is not done,” said Abbott. “We must secure the border not just for the next two years of the Republican administration, but we’re going to do it forever.”
Abbott said state officials will need to develop a strategy for funding border security over the next four years while also “ensuring that Texas taxpayers are going to get relief from this money that we have received from the federal government.”
Asked whether he thought the state could accomplish both goals, Abbott responded, “I know we can do both.”
Abbott’s comments come after Texas Comptroller Don Huffines last week also pointed to the reimbursement as an opportunity for additional property tax relief.
“This money is coming back where it belongs,” Huffines said. “Combined with continued growth in sales tax revenue, it puts the Legislature in a far stronger position to deliver meaningful property tax relief next session.”
The $7.5 billion reimbursement was first announced last month after the Department of Homeland Security approved Texas’ application to recover a portion of the billions spent on border security during the Biden administration.
But Abbott said Friday that Operation Lone Star remains active and argued Texas must continue budgeting for border enforcement even with the change in presidential administrations.
“We must secure the border not just for the next two years of the Republican administration, but we’re going to do it forever,” Abbott said. “We’ve got to have what our strategy is going to be for the next four years to make sure that is funded.”
Texas could also receive billions more from the federal government.
Abbott said the state has already applied for a share of an additional $3 billion reimbursement fund administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Texas received $7.5 billion—or 75 percent—of the $10 billion DHS had available for state reimbursements.
“My goal from the $3 billion that DOJ has is to get 75% of that also,” Abbott said, adding that such an award would bring Texas “close to the $10 billion total.”
