Texas Freepers, They're Setting Us Up!

The Houston Chronicle | 6/04/2002 | self

[christine]

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!!!

wish we could secede ala walter williams suggestion ;)

[PetroniDE]

Houston's too close to the ocean. Folks tell me it's humider and that makes sense. Maybe I'll just have to check it out and do a personal comparison when I mosey on down for a visit in a month or so...

Ironically, it is because of the Gulf (cooler water) that Houston is on average about 5 degrees cooler than Dallas in the summertime, with very little if any difference in the humidity. Don't believe me, check the weather channel.

Only two bad things about Texas --- Lousy pizza (we have found a couple of decent places bu they do not compare to other cities, and lousy major league baseball teams).

[Pining_4_TX]

A general law enacted by the legislature that imposes a tax on the net incomes of natural persons, including a person's share of partnership and unincorporated association income, must provide that the portion of the law imposing the tax not take effect until approved by a majority of the registered voters voting in a statewide referendum held on the question of imposing the tax. The referendum must specify the rate of the tax that will apply to taxable income as defined by law.

Ooh, actually I don't like the way this is written. It should have to be passed by more than just a simple majority (preferably 3/4 of the voters) for me to feel comfortable. And, the part about specifying the rate is just a smoke screen to make it seem it would be "reasonable".

[VOA]

I believe there is something in the state constitution regarding prohibition of state income tax.

Welcome to the world of "fees", "levies", and other forms of "revenue enhancements".

For heaven's sake, don't let the Great (Nation) State of Texas get a state income tax and
all the bureacracy and boondogles that come with such a system.

Just look at California.
Pass a state income tax (or the equivalent)...and look at your future.

[mconder]

At this point, I would hope people are aware, if the state says it's proposing an income tax to relieve the burden of another tax, the people will most certainly have both.

[Doctor Stochastic]

I'm planning to retire in Texas in a few years. An income tax would have some bearing on the decision.

[Pining_4_TX]

Yeah, where can you get good pizza in Houston? And for that matter, does Houston have any Mexican restaurants that come anywhere close to the Alamo Cafe in San Antonio? We ate at Pappasito's the other night, and not only was the food tasteless, but it was very expensive.

[PetroniDE]

We don't intend to let the state of Texas pass such non-sense. It has been talked about long before I ever lived here, so the talk is not serious at this point. If democrats win office here in the fall, then it will be time to prepare.

[PetroniDE]

Two places. Fuzzy's (several locations) and Star Pizza (near I-610). Only decent places Freepers have found for pizza. If they know of others, they haven't told me yet.

If you are ever in Chicago, try Connie's pizza. Best pizza in the world, IMHO.

[tangerine]

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

Wrong on that one, Partner. In fact it now costs $39.50 for an inspection in Houston, Dallas or Fort Worth.

[Bigun]

Haven't seen the article but it is NOT news that the Chronicle is in favor of a State income tax in Texas nor is it news that the liberals in our government have, for years, played games trying to FORCE one on us (that is what the "Robin Hood" school finance mess was REALLY all about). It WILL NOT happen in Texas!

[PetroniDE]

I know, Bigun. You have been telling me this for awhile. As you can see from this thread, there are others that need to be convinced.

Pining_4_TX, Bigun is one of the "Experienced Texas Freepers" I was telling you about.

[RikaStrom]

I like the NW side, that's where I live! :-)

[Dog Gone]

If democrats win office here in the fall, then it will be time to prepare.

The worst case scenario for Republicans would be losing the Governor and Lt. Governor races. But the state legislature is gerrymandered Republican, and there's precious little that either the Governor or Lt. Governor can do unilaterally. They certainly can't impose an income tax.

We'll be fine.

[Clara Lou]

"Amen!" on the killer property taxes here in Texas. In 7 years of owning my home the taxes have gone up at least $500, probably $600. (I don't remember my tax assessment that first year.) It's ridiculous. People aren't going to be able to own homes anymore if this keeps up.

[christine]

i'm in austin and i wouldn't say it's the pitts. what i would say, though, is that it's become way too crowded and expensive. traffic is horrendous and we've lost almost all of the ma/pa family owned unique restaurants which have been replaced with franchises.

i miss the quaint texas charm austin once had.

[christine]

yes, property taxes are ridiculous. we pay $7k a year on our house! ouch!

[McLynnan]

You poor thing. We did penance for eight years in Northern Virginia and finally made our way back to Texas. That place has more taxes than than a beach has sand. I almost stroked out when we got our first personal property tax bills for our vehicles. Coming from Texas, we'd never heard of such a thing. Then there was the 4.5% state income tax, the park taxes, tolls, sticker fees, inspection fees, etc., etc., etc. When Fairfax County built their new government center complete with the famous mega bucks teak conference table and marble toilets with gold fixtures we knew for sure we were among crazy people.

Hope you make it to Texas. I have no advice about where to live. I grew up in Dallas and it has its charms, but we prefer the more easy going lifestyle of a smaller town. By the way, hell will freeze over before a state income tax is imposed in Texas.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I have to suggest DFW area to you over Houston (sorry Houston folks) - yes the traffic is bad, but Dallas AND Fort Worth are great places...... Houston is way too humid - I lived in between Dallas and Fort Worth for several years and loved it!

[PetroniDE]

and with a state income tax, you will STILL pay $7k a year in property taxes.

What liberals don't understand, that renters pay property tax too. The landlords pass on the increase as RENT, and they can't itemize that as a deduction. Property taxes (like most taxes) hurt the poor AND the rich.