More and more I am doubting the seriousness of the Reps to cut government. They are bigger spenders than the Demorats. I can't believe there isn't a watchdog at the National level that would put on Reps on notice, that if they advocate increases taxes, they are kicked out of the party...... oh, I forgot, There isn't a dime's difference between the spending habits of the two parties. I feel sorry for Texas if this guy is really trying to raise taxes. It has to end sometime.
The problem actually lies mostly in the courts. The courts recently declared the current scheme for funding schools to be unconstitutional under the Texas Constitution. (It's not, but that's rarely stopped the courts from legislating). Thus the state has to come up with a new plan, and clearly one which "soaks the rich" since the courts objection to the old plan was that it didn't soak the rich enough.
That rules a sales tax increase, and it would be pitchforks, torches, tar and feather time if they openly put in an income tax. So they are trying to call it something else, a payroll tax based on the amount that businesses pay their employees (Sounds an awful lot like an income tax doesn't it, except you don't get taxed on non wage income...yet)
Heaven forbid they should cut spending somewhere else, like Medicaid, AFDC, or other welfare programs. But the basic problem is the courts telling the legislature how much they must spend on schools.
The bill has already passed the Texas House, IIRC.