Why are property taxes so high in Texas?

Homeowners in Texas pay some of the nation's highest property taxes. And state lawmakers know it. Now that they're back in session, they’ve vowed to address the issue, in part, by spending $15 billion to provide property tax relief.
 

But, how did we get to this point?

Dale Craymer, the president of the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, said the answer is simple.

“Property taxes in Texas are so high because that’s the price we pay for not having a personal income tax in this state,” Craymer said.
State tax systems are usually looked at as a three-legged stool — one leg is property tax, the second leg is sales tax, and the third leg is the personal income tax.