New Texas House Bill 2889
A new Texas House Bill 2889 in the House of Representatives has sparked controversy due to its proposed tax reductions for families with ten or more children.
The Texas House Bill 2889 was introduced by Republican House Representative Bryan Slaton. It aims to incentivize couples to have more children by providing property tax relief for those with larger families.
The Texas House Bill 2889 proposes graduated tax relief for married couples with four or more children, with a 10% tax credit for up to three children, 40% for four children, and so on. If the family has ten or more children, they would qualify for a 100% reduction in property taxes, a news article reported. Slaton believes that this bill will encourage couples to “get married, stay married, and be fruitful and multiply.”
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Texas House Bill 2889 Faces Criticisms
However, the Texas House Bill 2889 has faced criticism for not addressing the state’s high maternal mortality rate and for having some of the most restrictive Medicaid coverage for new mothers. According to a recently published article in Narcity Austin, some Texans have expressed concern that the bill gives off “Handmaid’s Tale vibes” and that it is an attempt to control people’s reproductive choices.
Despite the controversy, Texas House Bill 2889 has received some support from those who believe that it will promote strong families and provide financial relief for Texans. Slaton has emphasized that this bill is part of a wider pro-family movement by GOP lawmakers in Texas, following the overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court last year.
If passed, the Texas House Bill 2889 would come into effect at a time when Texas is likely to see a rise in the number of unwanted pregnancies, as it is one of 13 states to institute a full ban on abortion, a news article reported. However, Slaton believes that the bill will help families by making it financially easier for them to have and raise children in a supportive and nurturing way.
