AMEN and there is a simple, direct, and non intrusive way for them to do just that!
How about we do away with all other taxes, broaden the base of the sales tax to include services (the fastest growing segment of our society BTW), and cut the sales tax rate to around 4 percent. ALL Texas government entities would be funded at least as well as they currently are, probably better, and no single segment would be singled out to pay the freight!
The nice thing about a sales tax as opposed to an income tax is that illegals are more likely to pay a sales tax.
Of course, the state needs to control spending first, and school districts have to stop whining about "leaky roofs" when they're building stadiums and treating administration like royalty.
Education and tax reform will never happen until the people have the power to put public education out of business.
I'm with you -- been thinking along the same lines for some time now.
The trouble is that it won't come to pass because of screams that such a system is overly burdensome for lower-income families, who would certainly pay more if even the basic necessities (food, medical care, etc.) were taxed.
This is a legitimate argument. As a Christian, I do indeed believe that we have a responsibility to aid the poor. That "WE" includes everyone on this board, because if you can afford internet and computer services, your family is probably not going hungry. (My twist on defining "poor".)
On the other hand, I think that the principle of "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also," expressed by Jesus on the hillside, also applies here. When we ALL contribute to the common good (that means immigrants as well as us 7th generation Texans), we ALL have a stake in the outcome.
Renters don't take care of houses like homeowners do. Families who don't pay into the system don't have as great an incentive to make it work efficiently nor value what they haven't paid for. That goes not just for education but for all social services.
If you've got a litter of kittens who need a home, you will find it easier to sell them for $1 apiece than to give them away. It's human nature to respect value.
Our school-funding system (and our tax system as a whole) needs to be re-ordered to require investment by everyone who claims the benefits our society offers.
My long-considered opinion. Can someone here make Austin listen?