Local governments have not been properly notifying homeowners of their expected property tax increases since 1978, disregarding a requirement of the Texas Constitution, an academic researcher told lawmakers on Wednesday. For decades, Texas has required appraisal notices that include an “estimate of tax due,” but the notices are both too confusing and not accurate enough to comply with the state constitution, said tax expert Jennifer Rabb, director and fellow of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth at Rice University. Click to read more at www.houstonchronicle.com .