Gov. Greg Abbott says if a massive, but controversial, tax break program is reauthorized, renewable energy companies should be excluded.
“Basically, this is an economic incentive program for big businesses,” says Texas Tribune political reporter James Barragán. Under what were known as Chapter 313 agreements, large companies would receive property tax breaks in exchange for opening large new facilities in Texas.
“It was killed essentially last session,” Barragán notes, adding that some lawmakers wish to reboot the incentives program. “The big question is whether renewable energies – which made up a big, big part of the companies that took these tax breaks – will be included. The governor has said he does not support that. And so, that’s something that the legislators are going to have to work out.”
For more stories from the week in Texas politics, including the state’s likely takeover of Houston ISD and potential restrictions on transgender athletes in college sports, listen to the interview in the audio player above.
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