Lupe Valdez, the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, owes $12,000 in property taxes

[TexasTowelie]

By Emma Platoff, Texas Tribune


Lupe Valdez, who just this week secured the Democratic nomination for Texas governor, owes more than $12,000 in property taxes, the Houston Chronicle reported Thursday.

Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff, owes money on seven properties in two counties, according to the Chronicle. The paper also reported that she has several omissions on an official financial-disclosure report, which fails to list a Dallas property that she owns and gives incorrect names for two companies.

Valdez’s campaign told the Chronicle that she is paying the taxes off in installments and has “an agreement with the counties” to pay off the money owed “in the coming months.” Valdez has reportedly been paying off the taxes with incremental monthly payments ranging from $100 to $500.

Campaign spokesman Juan Dominguez also blamed incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott, who Valdez will face in November’s election, for high taxes in the state.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2018/05/24/report-lupe-valdez-democratic-nominee-governor-owes-12000-property-tax/

Ugh, it looks bad when someone who makes about $140,000 as Dallas County sheriff is in arrears. I don't know whether any of the seven properties provide rental income, but she should have either taken out a loan or sold one of the properties to pay the taxes prior to running for office.

[demosincebirth]

1. I pay my property taxes in intallments every year. What's the big deal?

[TexasTowelie]

2. I'm not the most aware of the laws regarding this subject since I've been a renter

rather than a property owner, but I believe that the full tax bill is due on January 31. I believe that some mortgages are structured such the tax payment is included in the monthly installment and held in escrow, then paid by mortgage holder.

In any case if she is only paying $500 per month, then she is two years behind on her taxes. She also did not file required financial disclosure forms for at least six years. I found this article that provides some additional information:

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2014/02/08/mismanagement-dallas-co.-officials-financial-disclosure-rules-often-unheeded