FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2025
Sarah.leon@senate.texas.gov
HOUSTON, TX – Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced Operation Double Nickel, a major new property tax proposal that lowers the ISD senior homestead exemption age from 65 to 55. This gives Texans over 55 an additional decade of declining school property tax bills, saving nearly $950 per year for 3.3 million homeowners, and freezing ISD taxable values beginning at age 55. Texans over 55 are estimated to save $16,167 per decade, providing long-term stability for as long as they own their home. Operation Double Nickel also delivers substantial statewide benefits to all 6.1 million homesteads regardless of age!
See below Senator Bettencourt’s 10-year projection chart demonstrating how lowering the exemption age accelerates tax savings, freezes taxable values earlier, and compound benefits of Operation Double Nickel over time. Using a lower future tax rate of $.95:
| Over 55 Homestead | Yr1 | Yr2 | Yr3 | Yr4 | Yr5 | Yr6 | Yr7 | Yr8 | Yr9 | Yr10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O55 HE Value | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | $240,000 | |
| Tax Rate | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | $0.9500 | |
| $60K Over 55 Savings | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | $570.00 | |
| $40K HE Increase Savings | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | $380.00 | |
| Anticipated Future Tax Rate Decreases and Homestead Exemption Increases | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | $833.33 | |||
| Totals | $950.00 | $950.00 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $1,783.33 | $16,167 |
Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) voiced strong support of the proposal, stating: “This very innovative “55+” plan saves taxpayers in their first decade $9,500 from homestead exemption changes and additional compression or HE of $6,667 with future reductions, a total of $16,167 per decade. These are HUGE savings to help Texans stay in their homes for decade or two+. But wait… there’s more!
Operation Double Nickel also benefits all 6.1 million homesteads statewide by increasing the general ISD homestead exemption from $140,000 to $180,000. And, at no time do younger homeowners pay for senior homeowners’ benefits or vice versa.” Senator Bettencourt added. Saving $380 annually per homeowner in the future before additional rate compression savings, building on the historic $2,080 average ISD tax reduction Texans have seen since 2022.
Lt. Gov. Patrick emphasized during his layout, that lowering the senior exemption age provides immediate, long-term protection for Texans nearing retirement: “We’re going to take the senior homestead exemption down to 55. That means for an extra 10 years, from age 55 to 65, your values are frozen. You will never again have to worry about rising appraisals for school taxes.”
Homestead exemptions authored by Senator Bettencourt consistently receive overwhelming voter support — 78%, 79%, 83%, and 86% — because they reduce school property tax bills immediately and permanently. Lt. Governor Patrick noted in his press conference: “Every time we put homestead exemptions on the ballot, Texans overwhelmingly approve them. And they’re guaranteed in the Texas Constitution.”
Once approved by voters next session, Operation Double Nickel would deliver immediate tax relief for seniors, freeze appraisals 10 years earlier, strengthen long-term protections and continue to cut school taxes for all Texans. For more details on the Lt. Governor’s full press conference — where he outlined these benefits in greater detail — click here.
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