[mlc9852]

Unbelievable.

[Monterrosa-24]

The nanny state in Texas! Not content with super taxes on beer and cigarettes, the state now worries about food selections. Next it will be fatty foods and white bread.

[GOP_1900AD]

I would support an small (single digit) overall VAT (on all goods sold, not just snacks) in return for a 9% flat income tax, removal of all cap gains taxes and abolishment of Alternative Minimum Tax. Failing all that, this sort of thing would suck eggs.

[Conspiracy Guy]

First the smokers, now the eaters. Next?

[Arkie2]

Any excuse for a new tax! This isn't really about improving health or they would eliminate the tax on healthful food items alongside this tax increase. It's about revenue enhancement and lifestyle taxes are all the rage.

Just like the cigarette tax, this one is regressive since most junkfood eaters, like most cigarette smokers, are low wage earners.

I bet somewhere in that bill it says this tax is for the children, as in: we're doing this to encourage parents to give up snack foods and give their children healthier food.

[stan_sipple]

Do any of these paperpushing pig pen pork barrellers run a business that would have to add another couple layers of paperwork just to keep the doors open? Pretty soon a small retail store will have half a dozen quarterly tax payments to make.

[lotusblos]

They should all be voted out of office. Cut spending, don't raise taxes.

[Rebelbase]

This is discrimination agaist Little Debbie and Laura Lynn.

[Eepsy]

They say they're trying to target people with eating problems. Won't this just force people to buy less healthy food in order to finance their snack habit?

[ElephantinTexas]

Well I'm a smoker and this whole thing has me sooooo mad that I'm ready to chew up 16 penny nails and spit out a barbed wire fence!!

But what about- "In addition, the bill calls for businesses to pay a payroll tax of 1.15 percent on each employee's salary, up to $90,000 per worker, which is also a slight increase from last week's proposal."

This is NOTHING but a State Income Tax under a DIFFERENT NAME!

[sgtbono2002]

They taxed and outlawed smoking till that Golden Goose died , now they go after snack foods.

Jay Leno could use that joke about these legislators doing it for the obese. What a crock of manure that is.

But what the hell someone has to pay for the hospitalisation of Mexicans coming over to have babies.

[clearsight]

Here go the health police again under the guise to raise money for the schools. Now there is a new class of vices that must be taxed.....chips, popcorn, cookies, candy.
Time to organize a mass automobile drive down to Austin and clog their city up till the legislature cries uncle.

[VeniVidiVici]

The House is considering the new and increased taxes to pay for a proposed one-third reduction in school property taxes as part of an overhaul of the way Texas pays for public schools.

But unless they include an annual cap in the increase in property tax rate, you Texans will be right back where you started in just a few years.

Of course, they're hoping you don't notice that part.

[sasafras]

I can understand the dems for proposing this but I cant understand Rep. voting for this. Oh wait this is the party of McCain and Bush the party of RINOs who enjoy nothing more than taking away our free speech rights and growing govt. It'll probably pass.

[CSM]

How can such a red state be taxing itself blue?

[ChefKeith]

Please contact your Senator and stop this before they get any farther with it.

Meek we need your ping list here please.

[ChefKeith]

House Speaker Tom Craddick has said the new money for schools will come from savings in other parts of the state budget.

What happened to the "lottery will pay for the schools" ?

F'ing lying politicians!!!!!

[theFIRMbss]

>New House bill calls for extra levy on snack foods

Let me tell you how it will be There's one for you, nineteen for me 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman Should five per cent appear too small Be thankful I don't take it all 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman (if you drive a car, car) - I'll tax the street (if you try to sit, sit) - I'll tax your seat (if you get too cold, cold) - I'll tax the heat (if you take a walk, walk) - I'll tax your feet Taxman! 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman Don't ask me what I want it for (ah-ah, mister Wilson) If you don't want to pay some more (ah-ah, mister heath) 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman Now my advice for those who die (taxman) Declare the pennies on your eyes (taxman) 'Cause I'm the taxman Yeah, I'm the taxman And you're working for no one but me Taxman!

[JOE43270]

America needs to come out and say NO! I'm tired of being taxed to death and paying for all the Government handouts. When they break all of us taxpayers who will give give these communists the money for the handouts. I've been an honest man and paid all my bills every month and paid all the taxes I knew I had to pay. I'm done,I'm tired, and I'm ready for the revolt. I don't like these communists that are trying to control America. God Bless America and all who have lved and defended Her.

[television is just wrong]

YOU CANNOT LEGISLATE HEALTH OR PROTECT STUPID PEOPLE FROM THEMSELVES.