http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/How-Andrew-White-s-teacher-pay-raise-would-work-12485722.php
How Andrew White's teacher pay raise would work
Would require a change in the Texas Constitution to close a loophole
Published 6:00 am, Wednesday, January 10, 2018
AUSTIN -- Ever since Democrat Andrew White said at a West Texas political forum on Monday he wants to give Texas teachers a pay raise when he becomes governor, readers have been asking how he plans to pay for it.
Simple math, says White.
He plans to pay for it by reforming the property tax law, including a change in the Texas Constitution to remove a provision that amounts to a $5 billion tax break for out-of-state owners of commercial property.
That's billion, with a 'b.'
Here's the explanation:
"The 'Equal and Uniform' loophole costs Texans $5 billion per year. Buy a house, and the county values it around what you paid. Buy an office building, and a judge can value it at half the price.
"Commercial property owners use (this) every day, but homeowners get no discount. This puts an unfair burden on homeowners."
Read the constitutional language here.
"When you lose $5 billion a year in property taxes, you can't pay for things," White explains on his Web site. "Take education, for example. We're ranked 43rd in the nation.
"I'll never disclose my SAT scores (I had a bad day...), but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that more money helps us pay teachers like the professionals they are. Better pay. Better teachers. And, that makes for smarter kids."
