Texas Freepers, They're Setting Us Up!

The Houston Chronicle | 6/04/2002 | self

[Pining_4_TX]

Beware, Texas Freepers, they are setting us up to force a state income tax on Texans! Yesterday, in the Houston Chronicle there was an article about how high our property taxes have become. The article featured 2 families who are having to make real financial sacrifices in order to pay their burgeoning property tax bills. I realized at the time that this article was not going to lead to the logical step of reducing spending, but was to help prepare us for what liberals want for out state - a state income tax.

What I didn't realize was how soon it would be proposed! Today in the editorial section of the paper was (surprise!), an editorial offering relief from high property taxes in the form of a state income tax. And, it would be so much fairer for the poor, don't you know!

I hope we remain alert, because this is the first shot across the bow, and we must be ready to respond as the people of TN have to the threat of a state income tax.

[Pining_4_TX]

It would be interesting to know if similar proposals have recently appeared in any other Texas newspapers.

[grobdriver]

And don't even think that an income tax will replace the property tax, or even reduce it.

[PetroniDE]

I have read the article, and have also noticed that there has been much talk about "Robin Hood", property tax, sales tax, and state income tax on local talk shows. I have also noticed that similar arguments are being made in Tennessee.

That being said, I have only lived in Texas for less than three years. I have been advised by more experienced Texas Freeper natives that there has always been talk about a state income tax behind the scenes; the truth is that there will NEVER be a state income tax in Texas for various state constitutional and political reasons.

When I lived in Illinois, they raised state income taxes in the late 80's (temporarily, btw). They used the same excuses as Tennessee. The citizens of Illinois are still waiting for those tax surcharges to be repealed. Need I say more.

Still keep an eye out for this. You never know what the liberals are up to.

[Pining_4_TX]

You are 100% correct! There is also the added cost of a whole new bureaucracy to collect the taxes, and the cost to businesses (which always means increased costs to individual citizens) of complying with the law. We have to fight this tooth and nail!

[Pining_4_TX]

the truth is that there will NEVER be a state income tax in Texas for various state constitutional and political reasons

That is good to hear! I'd like to know exactly what these reasons are. Texas Freepers?

[StockAyatollah]

First TN, now TX. They are destroying all refuges. Are the liberals trying to make the entire country a tax hell at the state level too? In Florida, I think we need to form a militia that will tar and feather anybody who utters the words "income tax".

[Dog Gone]

The Houston Chronicle has been pushing a state income tax for years. I almost posted the editorial it ran today, because it had so many goofy reasons for supporting it, such as the suggestion that the "wealthy" who will pay more taxes under this deal will enjoy a bigger federal tax deduction!

But I didn't. Republicans are going to get a commanding advantage in the state legislature this year, and I doubt any such bill is allowed for discussion on the floor.

[PetroniDE]

The reasoning is a little fuzzy to me, but I will give it a try. If I am incorrect here, someone please correct me.

I believe there is something in the state constitution regarding prohibition of state income tax. Additionally, remember that Texas was once an independent country, and there is something in the annexment agreement to this effect. I need confirmation on these.

Any politician who votes FOR an income tax in this state, don't even BOTHER running for re-election. Incidentally, there is a resolution in the Texas Republican Party Platform regarding being against a state income tax, which will be voted on at the state GOP convention this week.

[Redbob]

Liberals just looooove an income tax, because it's so easy for them to create loopholes and exemptions to it to reward their followers and penalize their opponents, i.e., those who work for a living.

They just love to bandy about terms like "fairness" and "greed", as in discussing the "fairness" of their proposals, and the "greed" of anyone opposing them.

Just ask the Tennesseans, where investment income is called "unearned" income!

[WellsFargo94]

Remember that the Texas Constitution guarantees that an income tax cannot be adopted without a statewide referendum. And if we adopt an income tax, two-thirds of the revenue would go to cut property taxes. The other one-third would be dedicated to education. The Legislature couldn't even raise the tax rate without going back to voters for approval. That's all in the Constitution. This is a paragraph of June 4,2002 Houston Chronicle Editorial.

Not a Texan, but maybe this part of the editorial will be helpful.

[maxwell]

NONONONONONONONONOOOOO

I am fixin to move my happy a$$ to Texas here in a year or so, getting the heck out of VA to which I've been paying state taxes to fund new office suite carpeting for the wine-and-white-linen set for the past ??? years... I was kinda looking forward to leaving all that crap behind, y'all! Thought you Texicans had more sense...

[PetroniDE]

You can still move here. They won't pass a state income tax here. Liberals still act stupid down here, but they won't get such tax passed in Texas.

[D. Miles]

Organize your anti tax people now. Get yourself some good talk radio guys to lead the fight such as we have in TN, and be ready to show up at the capital each and every time they even think they want to talk about an income tax.... and most of ALL...be READY for the fight of your life!

[maxwell]

Well thankyou. I understand I won't have to go through the whole annual process of getting my vehicle inspection sticker rejected either, haha...

I might end up in Houston just because of restrictions and limitations of my hirability and whatnot, but I think I'd dig Dallas-FW area better, the more I hear about Houston...

[Smartaleck]

<------- can vouch for dmiles. She knows from whence she speaks.

Do a search of the news to see how these very well organized folks from Tennessee did it.

[SpottedBeaver]

From what I heard, this was originally proposed as a voluntary income tax. If you didn't want to pay a high property or sales tax, you could voluntarily pay an income tax.

Well, many know how "voluntary" the Federal income tax is. It is the first step and they will try to sneak an income tax into Texas by saying it is voluntary.

Don't be fooled by the word "voluntary".

[ScreamingFist]

While I don't want to see state income taxes in any way, shape or form, something needs to be done about the ever upward spiraling property taxes, they are beating me to death.

[elbucko]

"...they won't get such tax passed in Texas.

I hope for your sake you're right. But the democrats paint such a lovely picture of what life will be like if only "the public has the courage to invest in Texas future". Molly Ivans, Jim Hightower and the rest of the radical left media in TX will be more than willing to sell this idea to the public, just as Merrill Lynch was encouraging its clients to buy lame stock.

I hope Texas doesn't become "Taxafornia", but history isn't on your/our side.

Good Luck, Buck.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I hope we remain alert, because this is the first shot across the bow

This is not the first shot and has been going on for twenty years. The problem now is that we have lots of new people in the state, taxes are far too high, and old line Rats are regaining control of the party behind the scenes. (read Sharp, Barnes etc.)

They will try to push this on us every two years until they win.

[GailA]

FIGHT IT TOOTH AND NAIL. Get your talk host involved like Phil Valentine and Steve Gill are.

Here is your CAFR listing: TXCAFR BOOK MARK IT.

Then go look up your budget and find the pork. Like TN you will find plenty of pork in the multitude of college buildings going up each year. WHICH are NOT being put up for the benefit of TX citizens, but for out of country or out of State people. The Baby Boom is over and we should Need LESS schools and less college buildings NOT MORE!

Look for wild flower programs, new spending, etc.