Posted on 06/21/2005 3:22:01 PM PDT by Constitutionalist Conservative
Today, Governor Perry proposed a solution to the recent tax trials of the Texas legislature; a plan which will deliver the largest property tax cut in history to the hardworking people of Texas.
Perry’s plan, if adopted, will result in a net Tax Cut of $300 million for the people of Texas, while providing a solution to the school finance reform dilemma.The measure will serve taxpayers, while providing historic funding increase for schools.
In order to facilitate the tax cut, Perry has proposed a close in franchise tax loopholes, leading to a more widely shouldered business tax. In addition, his plan would increase the sales tax rate by 7/10 of a percent – to 6.95%, and increase the cigarette tax by $1.
Perry’s plan, which may prove to represent a significant compromise between earlier House and Senate proposals:
With the Texas Supreme Court decision on several key school finance cases on the horizon, the manner in which the Texas legislature addresses the current problems in the system could control the fate of millions of Texas school children.Perry’s plan, which comes on the heels of a three-week legislative break, may provide a good starting point for successful negotiations between House and Senate leaders.
No, not an income tax. Just the word is inflammatory. There are plenty of other options, once lawmakers get serious about looking for them.
Where is the appraissal cap?
Why should you, without kids, be saddled with taxes for public education?
Numerous reasons, the first being that you were likely the recipient of a public education yourself. Possibly your parents, too.
Payback time.
If you never have children and if your family has completely shunned public education, your economy, your state, and your nation is better off with an educated populace.
Your dollars are better spent on education than on welfare any day.
Just the fact that you are on FreeRepublic tags you as blessed. Grumble as we will about our government and its requirements of us, no society has ever lived as well as we do.
Public education is one of the ways that we fulfill our pledge to "promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
Think "Cut Spending"
Think "Vouchers"
Think "Get the Government OUT of the Education business"
(Ever notice every Tax, everything that separates You from your Money, is "For the Children")
Did I mention it costs taxpayers $28 MILLION?
Go for it, Tex.
I love private school. I've spent many years associated with a good one.
But no way are private schools or homeschools equipped now to educate the masses. Selected and willing kids, yes, but not all. And it's in our best interest as a society to see that the next generation is educated.
So it sounds like you have good ideas. Act on them. I look forward to supporting you in your activism. We need problem-solvers like you who will drown out the fault-finders.
He does now.
You suggest that a homeowner should have to move to smaller digs just so he can afford the taxes??
In such a case, the tax code does not "cause me to change my decision making," it lowers my standard of living and disrupts my life and that of my family.
Your philosophy paints supply siders with a mean brush.
Ditto here. Same experience, and I'm tired of it. What a waste of my time and government money. The appraisal appeal process is a monster, and it takes months.
The valuation loophole needs to be closed.
You are absolutely right.
About time.
I think they're referring to the STATE-set sales tax rate. Each municipality can add an additional amount for local use.
Your statement that parents would demand quality education if they were the only ones paying for it is absolutely true -- but only for parents who truly care.
There are way, way too many parents who don't care or who won't pay to educate their kids -- or who will choose the cheapest option.
And our society would be irretrievably hurt if we encourage an uneducated underclass. Cannot, must not, happen.
I suppose you are suggesting that real conservatives would lower the millage rate assessed by school districts and other tax assessors? I did not understand your "broaden the base" alternative.
Well now, that's just too darned sensible to fly. I think non-parents could/should escape taxation to support schools IF the state got out of the business of K-12 education entiredly, which is itself not a bad idea. But to keep the state schools in business then assess only parents an education tax is likely to ensure that most parents can never afford to send their kids to any system other than the government/union monopoly.
WELL said!
Business DO NOT pay taxes! They mearly collect them from their customers, their employees, or their stockholders all of whom are individuals.
Ugh! I drive by that every morning when I take my son to private school. I get so angry every time I just want to spit.
>>>"I think they're referring to the STATE-set sales tax rate. Each municipality can add an additional amount for local use"<<<
Yes, I understand. The State currently caps the Sales Tax at 8.25% add .70% as Proposed and it becomes capped at 8.95%
You won't find a 6.25% Sales Tax Rate ANYWHERE in Texas.
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