State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, speaks at the August 11 South Austin Civic Club, sharing this thoughts on rising property values.[/caption]

State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, made an appearance at the South Austin Civic Club meeting on August 1, explaining the state’s reliance on property taxes and what it does to property values.

“In Texas, since we don’t have a state income tax, we rely very, very heavily on sales tax and property tax,” Rodriguez said.

Statewide, that has caused cities to be reliant on property values as well, and property values continue to rise, he added.

“Generally it’s a good thing to own your home, but it [rising property values] doesn’t mean much to you if you live there, you don’t want to sell your home, and you’re not making any more money than you made the prior year,” Rodriguez said. “This is true for a lot of senior citizens who have lived here for a long time.”

Rodriguez said the area he represents, District 51, which includes parts of East Austin, Southeast Austin and Southeast Travis County, suffers from this more than any other district.

There have to be more creative ways to find targeted tax relief, Rodriguez said.