Pearland ISD trustees approve tax rate for FY 2025-26
Pearland ISD’s board of trustees approved a tax rate of $1.135 per $100 valuation of a home for fiscal year 2025-26 at its Sept. 9 meeting.
The rate is identical to last year’s, according to district documents.
What residents should know: This tax rate will result in a tax bill of over $3,070 for an average residence—about a $420 decrease compared to last year’s bill of nearly $3,500, according to district documents.
However, that decrease doesn’t account for how home values might have changed year over year. This rate is with an average residential market value of over $432,000. Last year’s average market value was about $427,000, according to district documents.
Pearland holds first reading of FY 2025-26 budget, tax rate
Pearland City Council voted 5-1 to approve the first reading of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget and tax rate at its Sept. 8 meeting.
Why it matters: The city’s budget in terms of revenue is projected to increase from last year by 6.13%, while expenditures will increase by 2.43%, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
Alvin ISD trustees approve lower tax rate for FY 2025-26
Alvin ISD’s board of trustees approved a tax rate of $1.15 per $100 valuation of a home for fiscal year 2025-26 at its Sept. 9 meeting.
The overview: This tax rate of $1.15 per $100 valuation of a home is a decrease of $0.0223 per $100 valuation of a home compared to the FY 2024-25 rate, according to district documents.
What residents should know: This tax rate will result in a bill of over $2,550 in taxes due on an average residence, about a $415 decrease compared to last year’s bill of nearly $2,970, according to district documents.
However, that decrease doesn’t account for how home values might have changed year over year.
This rate is with an average residential market value of over $365,000. Last year’s average market value was about $370,700, according to district documents.
Gov. Abbott issues executive order prohibiting THC sales to Texans under 21
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a Sept. 10 executive order aimed at prohibiting hemp-derived THC products from being sold to minors, which he called “safety for kids, freedom for adults.” The order comes one week after a special legislative session ended without Abbott and state lawmakers agreeing on legislation to ban or restrict THC sales.
The details: Abbott’s order directs the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to “immediately begin the rulemaking process” on new THC regulations, including:
Limiting THC sales to people 21 years and older
Requiring THC retailers to check all customers’ IDs
Expanding testing and labeling requirements for THC products
Raising manufacturer and retailer licensing fees to cover costs of enforcing the new rules
Enhancing monitoring by state and local law enforcement
What they're saying:“Governor Abbott has shown that Texas can protect children without turning back to prohibition,” Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, said in a statement. “While we have some concerns, this is a win for safety, freedom and free markets.”
Cellphone ban, library materials: 8 new Texas laws impacting public schools
When Texas students returned to school in August, some substantial changes awaited them.
The overview:
House Bill 2 increases state funding for public schools by $8.4 billion.
House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using cellphones and other personal communication devices throughout the school day.
Senate Bill 12 requires parental consent for students to receive "medical, psychiatric and psychological treatment" on campus.
Senate Bill 13 gives parents and school boards more oversight of library materials.
House Bill 6 gives teachers more discretion to remove repeatedly disruptive or violent students from class.
Senate Bill 10 requires most schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Senate Bill 11 allows districts to set aside time for students and staff to pray or read religious texts at school.
Senate Bill 965 codifies school employees' rights to "engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty."
The context: The sweeping changes come after lawmakers passed what state leaders have called “transformative” education laws during this year’s regular legislative session, which ended June 2.
