Can Texas eliminate property taxes?

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- The short answer: no. The longer answer: definitely no, at least not anytime in the foreseeable future, and not without sacrificing vital state services like healthcare and education at all levels.

State senators tasked with steering the state's massive budget gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to do the math.

Eliminating property taxes would cost the state more than $81 billion per year, they found. The state raises about $47.5 billion per year in discretionary spending.