Census: Fast growth in states with no income tax

Washington Examiner (newspaper) ^ | Michael Barone

[RatherBiased.com]

For those of us who are demographic buffs, Christmas came four days early when Census Bureau director Robert Groves announced on Tuesday the first results of the 2010 census and the reapportionment of House seats (and therefore electoral votes) among the states.

The resident population of the United States, he told us in a webcast, was 308,745,538. That's an increase of 9.7 percent from the 281,421,906 in the 2000 census -- the smallest proportional increase than in any decade other than the Depression 1930s but a pretty robust increase for an advanced nation. It's hard to get a grasp on such large numbers. So let me share a few observations on what they mean.

First, the great engine of growth in America is not the Northeast Megalopolis, which was growing faster than average in the mid-20th century, or California, which grew lustily in the succeeding half-century. It is Texas.

Its population grew 21 percent in the past decade, from nearly 21 million to more than 25 million. That was more rapid growth than in any states except for four much smaller ones (Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho).

Texas' diversified economy, business-friendly regulations and low taxes have attracted not only immigrants but substantial inflow from the other 49 states. As a result, the 2010 reapportionment gives Texas four additional House seats. In contrast, California gets no new House seats, for the first time since it was admitted to the Union in 1850.

[central_va]

No really, I heard it on the local news CA is -1.

[Michael.SF.]

How is your friends and family count on the O/ Any recent defectors? Any think he is not liberal enough?

One comment I received on my tag line was: "you need better friends", which I thought was excellent.

Most of those 11 are more middle of the road, or just Democrat loyalists, who do not really delve into the issues.

I have zero friends (thank goodness) who would think that Obama was "too liberal". I do have some family members who worship Obama, but I try to stay away from them.

[Grizzled Bear]

So, how can such a tax be decided on, who’s version of a “Nice View” and how much of a tax to impose on said view?

Perhaps you can get Helen Thomas, Janet Reno and Barbara Streisand to sun bath au natural near your property during the tax assessment.

Based on that view, you would qualify for a tax credit!

[Texas Fossil]

Austin!!

Too many lefties. My daughter and son-in-law live in Williamson County in Hutto, just North of Austin. Property taxes are much lower than Austin and property is less expensive (not cheap).

I live in the middle of the “Big Nothing” in the Rolling Plains. County population is about 6,000 people. The town I live in is about 700 people.

My family has lived here since the 1880’s. (I was the only black sheep and moved away in 1971 but moved back about 15 years ago.)

My suggestion is to look “near” not “in” Austin.

We are a little ashamed of the number of “lefties” in Austin. The University of Texas is responsible for a lot of the insanity.

—

Texas is not where you were born, but a State of Mind, Heart and Attitude. Goes something like this: “Leave us alone to live our lives in peace and we will get along fine, if that is not satisfactory, we will deal with it.”

Some of my ancestors were born in Texas during the Republic, but most came here during Reconstruction. Those were literally burned out of Alabama.

[The Antiyuppie]

Vote with your feet!

[crusty old prospector]

My annual income is $400,000. A 5-10% state income tax would amount to $20,000-$40,000. I own a 3200 square foot house that is appraised at $320,000,down from $350,000 before the Barney Frank / Chris Dodd recession. I live in a county that is considered in the middle as far as property taxes, which are primarily for the local school district. My property tax bill is $6000. Oh yeah, I am quite enamored with running off to Yankeeland or Kalifornia where the same house would cost about three times as much. I also purchased 200 acres of timberland at a cost of $1500 per acre. It is approximately two hours from Dallas / Fort Worth and three hours from Houston and Austin. It is used for recreation and hunting, along with the fact that the timber will more than pay for the original purchase price in seven years. Show me anywhere in a Blue State where you can find land that close to a metropolitan area for that price? I am staying in Texas or for that matter, most any southern state where the cost of living is about the same.

[brushcop]

Sounds like a good reason to invest in a few portable outhouses. They could do double duty as deer feeders...

Now, I like how you guys think, although I think I'll BUILD the outhouses a la my Grandpa's, out of scrap wood and weathered boards.

[celtic gal]

Our house is 2500sqft and taxes here on a 3 bedroom house of that size on a half acre ( we are in Central CA) run about what yours do..maybe a little more.

[Howie]

[neverdem]

Thanks to unexpectedly large gains in state legislatures, Republicans stand to control the redistricting process in 18 states with 204 House districts, while Democrats will control it in only seven states with 49 districts. That doesn’t guarantee continued Republican majorities, but it’s probably worth 10 to 15 seats.

Mike Barone is a gift. National Review also carries his column. Last time that I posted from the Washington Examiner, I didn't have to excerpt, but their website often generates a message that it can't be opened. If I persist in trying to go to their URL, it may open. Merry Christmas!