Texas Freeper Alert: State Senate Debating Pay Roll Tax

e-mail | May 10,2005

[ArmyBratproud]

Texas Freepers, It looks like we have one last chance to stop the payroll tax issue.

It is time for a Texas Tax Revolt!!!! (Make a phone call. E-Mails will just fall by the wayside)

As you have already heard in the news, the State Senate's version has a payroll tax in it. And unlike the House version, which makes the payroll tax "optional (we all know that just opens the door to make is full time), the Senate version looks to be mandated.

The following e-mail was sent to me, and it reminded me of something that every Texan should be doing. URGING EVERY ONE THEY KNOW TO CALL THEIR STATE SENATOR AND TELL THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT STAND FOR A STATE PAYROLL TAX.

I urge you all to get the word out to everyone you know. Tell the State Senate Republicans that if they are going to act like Democrats, then we'll replace them with Real Republicans in the primaries.

There are plenty who want to run against the current elected. They know, due to the tax push, that they have a chance.

Here is the body of the e-mail that is going around from one group of folks-

RE: Senate version of H.B. 3 (the tax bill) Okay everybody, here's the deal: H.B. 3 (the tax bill) came roaring out of the Senate Finance Committee on Friday afternoon and it is set for Senate debate tomorrow, May 10. It is not an easy document to get, but a quick and dirty reading this morning tells us that the bill: (1) would expand the franchise tax in all the usual ways to bring in every business entity other than a sole proprietorship (not new) (2) would establish the following formula for calculation of the franchise tax net profit + 15% of gross payroll x 4%. (Gross payroll determined according to page 1, line 1 of IRS form 940) UNLESS the constitutional amendment enacting a new statewide property tax is actually adopted by the people. In which case the payroll component would be based on 25% of gross payroll rather than 15%. (3) would increase the motor vehicle sales tax (and the general sales tax) rate from 6.25% to 6.5 % UNLESS the constitutional amendment enacting a new statewide property tax is actually adopted by the people. In which case the rate for both sales taxes would be increased to 6.75%. (4) would establish the presumed value tax. In committee, the votes were: Those FOR H.B. 3(i.e. the ones who voted AGAINST dealers and your employees) Steve Ogden (College Station) Judith Zaffirini (Laredo) Kip Averitt (Waco) Kim Brimer (Arlington) Robert Duncan (Lubbock) Kyle Janek (Houston) Florence Shapiro (Plano) Todd Staples (Palestine/Conroe) Royce West (Dallas) John Whitmire (Houston Tommy Willians (Conroe/Woodlands/Beaumont) Those (heroes) AGAINST H.B. 3 (i.e. the ones who voted FOR dealers and your employees) Gonzalo Barrientos (Austin) Bob Deuell (Greenville) Jane Nelson (Denton) Eliot Shapleigh (El Paso) This is bad. It is bad because it contains the jobs tax component that is simply not good for dealers, your employees, your customers, or for Texas. And remember, this is only the beginning. Once this baby gets on the books, all they have to do is ramp up the jobs tax rate any time they "need" more $$$. SO, for those of you who haven't yet done so, NOW IS YOUR MOMENT! Call your senator. Email your senator. (List attached) Let him/her know how you feel about this jobs tax component. Your message is simple: it will cost your employees their benefits, and in some cases you will have to lay off employees. This is anti-jobs and makes no sense in our current economy. Vote NO on H.B. 3. Be sure to identify yourself, your dealership, and how many employees will lose their jobs because of this vote. It doesn't matter where you are or the characteristics of your dealership: EVERY SENATOR SHOULD HEAR FROM DEALER S TODAY!!!!! Time is short and things down here are getting pretty weird. So please do not hesitate to call today. They will, listen.

[ArmyBratproud]

It looks like the are going to debate the tax today!!!!

[ArmyBratproud]

It looks like they have enough money already!
http://www.texaspolicy.com/commentaries_single.php?report_id=793

"...From ’97 to ’04, average teacher pay increased by 25 percent, support staff up 21 percent, campus administrators’ pay increased 20 percent, and central administrator pay went up 24 percent. These raises exceeded the 17 percent rate of inflation, greatly exceeding pay increases earned by the average Texan.

[ArmyBratproud]

Heads up Ping.

[ArmyBratproud]

Directory of State Senators

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm

[jneesy]

republicans are becoming everything we voted to throw out

[ArmyBratproud]

Heads up Ping.

Please spread the word

[dd5339]

Heads up!

Vic, get on the phone to Shapeiro's office and tell them in clear terms, NO! She's a supporter of it so let them know unless she changes her mind we will vote democrat before she will get our vote.

Semper Fi

[federal]

mark

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[MeekOneGOP]

Texas Freeper Alert:
State Senate Debating Pay Roll Tax

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[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Am I the only one sick and tired of the Legislature constantly dreaming up new taxes, and not a one of them even mentioning the possibility of cutting spending?

[Rightly Biased]

Thanks for the ping and info.


Will give um a call in just a bit.

[TXBSAFH]

Just called, made it clear to Sen Mike Jackson's office I will vote against him if he votes for this trash.

[TXBSAFH]

It is time for an Austin RINO hunt!

[ChefKeith]

Just called Sen. Ogden's Austin office and informed them to stop this or we will vote him out of office.

Also told them to cut the budget and stop wasting money.

[TexKat]

Thanks for the ping.

Bump!!

[ChefKeith]

I'm in!

Sent e-mail to Ogden as well

[harbinger of doom]

Jane Nelson, (my rep) opposed it in the Senate Finance committee as well as 3 other Pubbies. Not sure how many sit on that committee. I told her she will continue to get my support. Not sure where Estes stands but they are going to return my call.

[Txslady]

WSJ had a great article today in the opinion section called:

"Deep in the Heart of Taxes"- These days it's hard to distinguish Austin from Albany.

If I had a subscription to the online journal I would post it.

[Txsleuth]

I just called Sen. Brimer's office, and left a message, but I see he is already on the wrong side, and I told his office I was really upset and would appreciate him changing his vote....