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Texas Attorney General Tells 4 Cities to Drop Tax Hikes Amid Investigations Into Incomplete Audits
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ordered four cities to suspend property tax hikes amid audits showing late filings or incomplete financial reports under a new state law.
- On October 2, 2025 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ordered La Marque, Odessa, Tom Bean and Whitesboro to pause newly adopted property tax increases while his office investigates.
- This year SB 1851, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, took effect on September 1, 2025, prohibiting cities that miss audit deadlines from raising taxes above the no-new-revenue rate.
- City records show compliance gaps: La Marque city officials filed audits six months late, Whitesboro city council filed three months late, and Tom Bean, Texas, posted audits years old.
- Paxton's letters demand officials halt tax hikes and submit audits and notices; the Office of the Attorney General may freeze rates for a year and will enforce compliance, while cities like La Marque cooperate and Odessa disputes retroactive application.
- Facing tight budgets, La Marque, Texas reports a $3 million shortfall and $1.2 million in reserves, while Whitesboro, Texas will raise homeowner bills by nearly $500.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
KTEN+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Paxton orders localities to halt property tax hikes, launches investigation
(The Center Square) – The Office of Attorney General has launched an investigation into the mayors and city council members of La Marque, Odessa, Tom Bean and Whitesboro, claiming tax hikes they approved may be illegal. They were also directed…
The City of La Marque passed a tax increase -- one that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says may violate a new state law
La Marque City Council approved its tax increase on Sept. 26, raising the property tax rate by two cents per $100 valuation. AG Ken Paxton says it violates a new law
·Houston, United States
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Texas attorney general tells 4 cities to drop tax hikes amid investigations into incomplete audits
Most of the cities — Odessa, La Marque, Tom Bean and Whitesboro — said they are following the law and Ken Paxton’s office is jumping the gun on enforcing new state rules.
·Houston, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
C 50%
R 40%
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