AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott announced this week that 89 Texas House incumbents and candidates have signed his taxpayer empowerment pledge, a proposal aimed at limiting local government spending and providing additional property tax relief for Texans.

Among those signing the pledge is Dennis Geesaman, the Republican nominee for Texas House District 85, which includes Wharton County.

Geesaman is the Republican nominee for Texas House District 85, which includes Wharton County. He defeated incumbent Stan Kitzman in the Republican primary, receiving 57% of the 24,254 votes cast compared to Kitzman’s 43%, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Geesaman will represent the district when the Texas Legislature convenes in 2027.

Abbott’s five-point Texas Taxpayer Empowerment Plan would make several changes to the state’s property tax system. The proposal would limit local government spending growth to population growth plus inflation or 3.5%, whichever is lower, require two-thirds voter approval before local property tax increases could take effect, and allow voters to force a rollback election if 15% of registered voters in a local jurisdiction sign a petition.

The plan also calls for properties to be appraised once every five years, lowering the annual homestead appraisal cap from 10% to 3%, and expanding that cap to all properties. Abbott has also proposed asking Texas voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would eliminate school district property taxes for homeowners, shifting responsibility for funding public education away from local property taxes.

Abbott said the proposal is designed to provide long-term property tax relief while preventing local governments from increasing spending in ways that offset previous tax cuts.

The proposal would still require approval by the Texas Legislature, and any constitutional amendment would also need approval from Texas voters before taking effect.