DALLAS-The corporate-friendly Texas charisma is being held to the fire as the Senate Intergovernmental Committee weighs testimony presented over first-time legislation to cap commercial real estate values. Yesterday's vote was tabled; a decision is expected late tonight.

The measure, aimed at easing residential tax burdens, is more of a disincentive because it would deter commercial sales and capital improvements, David Dean, executive vice president for Fort Worth-based Crescent Real Estate Equities Co., tells GlobeSt.com as he awaited his turn at the microphone. The proposal has met opposition from the Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals, building owners such as Crescent, most county assessors, including Dallas' Foy Mitchell, and the Texas Municipal League.

Yesterday, Houston's assessor-collector Paul Bettencourt has been one the few from the assessor ranks to support HB 3223, which was approved May 9 on a 134-0 vote in the House. The bill was introduced by state Reps. Dwayne Bohac, Glenn Hegar, Dennis Bonnen, Martha Wong and Charlie Howard. Should it pass the Senate and garner Gov. Rick Perry's signature, the measure would make the Sept. 13 state ballot.