SD 17 GOP Candidate Austen Furse Calls for Reappraisals of Property Damaged by Ike

Taxing entities can authorize the reappraisals, which would adjust values for the remainder of the year, Furse says.

Quorum Report
September 29, 2008 6:27 PM

SD 17 candidate Austen Furse today said that taxing authorities in areas affected by Hurricane Ike should conduct reappraisals of all property damaged by the storm.

The Republican said that the law allows taxing entities to authorize the reappraisals. The new values would apply only to the time period following the storm.

"There are thousands of people who suffered significant damage or lost their entire homes," Furse said. "It is only fair that they should have their properties reappraised so that we don't ask people to pay taxes on a home that was washed away by Hurricane Ike."

Two Gulf-area lawmakers – Sen. Mike Jackson (R-LaPorte) and Rep. John Zerwas (R-Houston) – joined Furse in his appeal to local taxing authorities. Furse is in the midst of a multi-candidate special election to replace retired Sen. Kyle Janek (R-Houston).