Posted on 01/04/2002 7:01:38 PM PST by ThJ1800
Texas first in number of taxing districts in nation, newspaper reports
Associated Press, Longview News-Journal, 12/31/01
DALLAS (AP) — Texas leads the nation in the number of special taxing districts, where private developers effectively get government powers, such as the ability to levy taxes for roads and sewers, the Dallas Morning News reported Sunday.
Citing U.S. Census figures, the newspaper reported the greatest concentration of such districts in Texas was the Houston area.
Across the nation, the districts are created to handle everything from road and sewer construction to crop irrigation, flood control and fire protection.
Sixty years ago, there were twice as many cities as districts, now, it’s the other way around.
In Texas, the districts are created after a request approved by a county or the state, and is approved by voters.
But few people usually are eligible to vote because developers often propose boundaries that exclude existing residents of an area, then move in a few voters in rent-free trailers.
In 1995, the Texas attorney general’s office stopped checking for signs of impropriety in elections where a handful of voters created districts and authorized bond sales.
The agency, which must approve all government bond issues, no longer visits districts to check residency claims and interview voters.
Developers and their lawyers have said the practice of moving voters into trailers on undeveloped land has long been accepted as a means to build dependable water lines, sewer systems and streets in areas that cities don’t want to serve.
Developers generally recoup their expenses through the district taxes.
Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, said she questions “whether laws are being broken ... or whether current law has lent itself to unintended manipulation.”
State Sen. John Carona, R-Dallas, defended the districts, calling them a “proven economic engine.” He said the practice of moving in voters was one of several “creative ways to comply with the law.”
Other states have found problems with the districts.
In New York, a federal appeals court recently ruled against a taxing district in Manhattan, saying it had a limited purpose and a disproportionate impact on major property owners.
Acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant, said he has assigned the Senate’s intergovernmental relations committee to investigate the districts in 2002.
“We certainly heard some stories that would indicate that there’s smoke,” he said. “What we need to do, is find out whether there is any fire there.”
Right. Took one post to point out the obvious. Texas is second largest, and Alaska has vast wild areas.
Doesn't take a rocket scientist.
Here is a special section by Dallas News on the issue.
1. Trivialize the discussions, ask about favorite shampoo etc.
2. Post every article on every subject. This prevents any consensus of opinion. It also keeps people from forming a community.
3. Have shills comment one after the other to create an illusion of agreement on subjects most conservatives would not agree with.
4. Encourage anything that maintains the stereotype liberals have of conservatives. ( haters, prejudiced etc. -- if real freepers don't live up to the stereotype, put in shills to maintain it)
5. Encourage "feelings" not rational thought.
6. Bash Mexican/Islam/Arab/Blacks etc.
Any others?
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