Jack Craver wrote this piece in Austin Monthly. We have discussed the homestead exemption for property taxes before in this forum. Some of the participants in that discussion opposed the exemption, because it (indirectly) shifts the tax burden to renters. @Phil_Wiley stated that the local taxing authorities tend to appraise commercial properties (including apartment complexes) lower than they do residential properties, suggesting that homestead exemptions may actually help level the owner-renter playing field.
Any additional thoughts?