“That said, a way needs to be found that requires more of the burden be borne by all residents of the state, because all benefit from government services, not just property owners.”
But don’t the renters bear a cost in that the property owners who rent to them keep their rents up commensurate to the taxes put on the owners?
the apartments that go section-8 know they can over-charge
Of course escrow costs are passed on to renters, but only if the market allows it. Same for businesses, again if the market allows. You can’t always raise rent or cost of goods.
Moreover, take into account population density in rentals, particularly as our “undocumented” population balloons.
Per capita cost of government services is in no way proportional to per capita use of such services. Businesses and homeowners carry a disproportionate share of the burden in Texas.