Most homeowners will be paying higher taxes again this year. If you want to protest your tax assessment you will have to file an appeal and attend a hearing at the Appraisal District. You can find some good tips on the CLOUT (Citizens Lowering Our Unfair Taxes) website, clouttexas.com. You could also hire a tax agent to make your case.

It is evident by your tax statement that more government entities are needing your property taxes to spend for administration and services. In Harris County your taxes are distributed to the school district, the county, the Flood Control District, the Port of Houston, the County Hospital District, the Harris County Dept. of Education, Houston Community College, and the City of Houston (or whatever your municipality is). It seems every year these entities need more money. The City of Houston just increased its ad valorem tax rate to $.65 per $100 valuation. City Controller Annise Parker says this increase is in line with the 2004 voter imposed revenue caps that require that the city limit property tax increases to population and inflation growth. The limits can exceed $90 million, however, for public safety expenditures. HISD went the bond route, getting voters to approve a $805 million bond last November. This, of course, may be just a delayed tax. Other entities such as the Community College have raised their tax rates also.

Statistics from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce show that local government spending in Texas, adjusted for inflation, increased 158% between 1980 and 2005. Local government debt increased 207%. In Texas, by 2005 figures, local governments are over $132 billion in debt, more than $5700 for every person in the state.

State government spending increased 56% during this period. Even though Texas has a constitutional Tax and Expenditure Limitation, there are many loopholes. The result is that Texans paid the second highest property taxes (by percent of home values) in the country, says the Tax Foundation.

Most taxpayers are willing to pay taxes for critically needed services such as roads, law enforcement, education, and help for needy children. But taxpayers expect government to keep its finances in order, not to spend more than it takes in. And not to take in more money than it really needs. Property taxes are a convenient way to generate revenue, but the upward spiral of these taxes places a real hardship on home owners and businesses. Without reform, the American dream of home ownership will be in jeopardy.

Some interesting information can be found online under "Keeping Texas Competitive" at www.americansforprosperity.org.