Lizzie Wickert
June 16, 2025, was a day to remember for the Executive Board members of the Robson Ranch Republican Club. Club President Laurie Wiginton and past President Tim McCormick were invited by Governor Greg Abbott’s office to witness the signing of Real Property Tax Relief bills in the Robson Ranch clubhouse. Laurie said it was such an honor to have received this invitation from the Governor’s office and to be provided with front-row seats for this historic event.
Commissioner Dianne Edmondson invited the rest of the Executive Board to attend as her guests. Everyone was thrilled to be there. Constance Quagliano, club treasurer, was so humble. She said, “I’m so grateful to have been able to participate. This was my first time ever to meet the Governor in person.”
The event was packed with state representatives, including our very own State Senator Tan Parker and Representative Andy Hopper from HD 64. Also, we were super-excited to be joined by Brandon Gill, the United States Representative for Texas’ 26th Congressional District. Other notable attendees included Denton County Judge Andy Eads; Sheriff Tracy Murphree; Dawn Waye, Tax Assessor-Collector for Denton County; Don Spencer, Denton County Chief Appraiser; Judge Susan Piel; and City of Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth.
Governor Abbott chose Robson Ranch to sign two important bills that passed during the 89th regular legislative session. These bills focused on property tax relief, and two of them directly affected our community. SB 4 raised the homestead exemption to $140,000, and SB 23 also increased the exemption for people who are 65 or older or have disabilities. This means that these individuals will now have a homestead exemption of $200,000.
These bills are law now, but we still need to make sure they stay that way. We’ll have to turn out in force in November to make them part of the Constitution so that they can never be taken away.
Governor Abbott knew that the community wanted zero property taxes in Texas, and even though the legislative work isn’t done yet, we appreciate that our desire for a more affordable future is understood.