The $8.2 billion surplus would provide approximately 35 cents in property tax rate cuts for Texans for two years, taking the school property tax rate from $1.50 to $1.15. This could be done without any new taxes.

We just can't do this anymore without getting some assistance from the property tax.

Property tax is the lightest. We haven't been looking at those three pieces to see if there should be a rebalance.

The preservation of the rebate program should always be a priority until there is a stable form of property-tax relief and reform. It is the only lifeline and the only bridge until real reform is enacted. To take that away, which is meaningful property-tax relief, would be wrong in my mind.

Sooner or later, it becomes a property tax issue.

I agree with that. I've always supported a property-tax convention, as long as it includes a look at spending. ... We can't continue to raise taxes to cover spending increases.