A newly struck budget deal gives new Republican Gov. Greg Abbott the tax cuts he demanded but is blemished by skepticism that Texas homeowners will notice any savings.
An agreement late Thursday on $3.8 billion in tax cuts ends weeks of discord between the House and Senate. It puts Abbott closer to signing Texas' biggest tax cuts in a decade and finishing his first legislative session on time.
Republicans campaigned hard on tax cuts in 2014. But even House Republicans have doubted that voters will feel roughly $120 knocked off their property taxes, given fast-rising home appraisals in Texas.
Abbott told lawmakers in February that property tax reduction "must be lasting" and can't be allowed to evaporate by rising property values.
Only a week remains before the Legislature adjourns.
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