TX Republican Proposes State Property Tax

The Laredo Morning Times | 3-23-02 | AP

[Theodore R.]

If Governor Perry believes that a state property tax will elect him in November, he will face utter ruin. I don't think Republican rank-and-file will actually vote for Sanchez (some will), but by the hundreds of thousands demoralized conservatives will sit out the November election if such a tax is enacted by Republicans!

[Theodore R.]

Perry's failure to shoot down this foolishness -- which the Sanchez camp actually did -- bodes ill possibilities for the fall. A Democrat sweep could be slowly building momentum. The Democrat turnout in the March 12 primary was nearly 400,000 more than the GOP tabulations. Still Governor Perry sees no danger!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I don't see this ever getting far enough along, unless it is a ploy by Perry to win some votes for NOT approving the bill........I don't see an income tax, or "property tax" in this case, passing in Texas....at least not in an election year.....

[antidemocommie]

GOODBYE TO THIS "CONSERVATIVE"! HOW DARE THIS IDIOT PROPOSE MORE TAXES ON THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS!!! WHAT A COMPLETE AND TOTAL IDIOT!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

It is my understanding that they are in a fiscal crunch...... revenues are down.....what are they supposed to do?

[katze]

I'm to the point I'd vote for a Democrat who'd abolish these punitive taxes (well, almost there). In my sorry city, I pay more than $1,350 annual property tax, for a 2-BR brick home, and about 65% (down from a high of 76%) goes to the sorriest public schools in the nation. Actually, I'd pay more than $1,400, but get a $50 break because I'm old.

No one should have to pay for someone else's kids to attend school, until *everyone* pays. Why not add a use tax of a sort, so that we *all* pay, and at the same rate? Then, I'll be happy to pay my property tax for city services.

[Theodore R.]

One thing the administration in Austin could do is lift the burdensome regulations imposed on local school districts. There is a huge bureaucracy in TX education. Many state agencies are useless and should be abolished. TX has a Sunset Advisory Commission that has proposed the abolition of useless agencies, but such agencies persist, with their built-in constituencies keeping them politically viable. The average Texan knows nothing about such useless agencies.

[Theodore R.]

I just hope Perry doesn't start cozying up to outgoing TN Governor Sundquist to get his ideas on funding state government. Sundquist has driven TN into the ground.

[sinkspur]

If Governor Perry believes that a state property tax will elect him in November, he will face utter ruin.

The article doesn't say so, but it seems to imply that Ratliff's plan for a state property tax would replace the local property tax.

That would be preferable to the current Robin Hood plan, which is wrecking suburban Republican school districts by forcing them to curtail activities.

This plan would get a lot of backing up here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

On the contrary, a state property tax would appeal to anybody whose kid is in public school.

That's a lot of folks.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I am sure you are right about that - worthless departments and agencies and commissions abound everywhere.

[gorush]

At least this plan doesn't violate the US Constitution...The founders plan was for states to "experiment", the successes would then be adopted by other states, the failures would be adopted by MA and NY (and WI...more's the pity), and S@#t-canned by all the rest.

[katze]

What are they supposed to do?

Have the parent(s) pay something for the schools; those who own nothing in the way of property, pay nothing, but darned well furnish the cities with kids, for us to take care of. Subsidized housing, or the free rent--who pays property tax? No one. Who makes up the difference for this, and any/all abatements? The property owners, that's who.

Since the school boards tell the city how much they *want*, they have no incentive to avoid wasting money, allow the kids to destroy school property. A few adults need to be in charge of this out-of-control school nonsense. And, tell me the kids learn--yeah, right, that is why we need all these job training programs the Liberals always screech about.

[deport]

What would this be? A ballot issue Admendment/Referendum for the General Election?

[Theodore R.]

Sinkspur, this is a good observation. However, rarely does one "new" tax replace an "old" tax. Hapless taxpayers wind up getting stuck with BOTH such taxes. Many do not even understand property taxes, for such taxes are paid through house payments in most cases.

[Theodore R.]

We do not have referendum or initiative in TX. But we have state constitutional amendment elections -- called special elections -- every odd November. This plan could not take effect before the spring of 2003, but it could be a 2002 issue. Imagine the Democrat standing against higher taxes, and the GOP incumbent waffling! Yet, Governor Perry has never lost an election.

[B4Ranch]

I'm glad that I sold my ranch last year, before they had a chance to tax me even more.

[jla]

It is my understanding that they are in a fiscal crunch...... revenues are down.....what are they supposed to do?

Across the board tax cuts & spending reductions would be my answer.
But I'm just a humble citizen who hasn't near the intellect of the solons elected at the local, state & national governments.

Let's just be thankful this man has an 'R' after his name and he's not one of those unscrupulous liberals.

TexasGal...My sarcasm isn't directed towards you personally. I'm just tired of all the accomodating being shown to the 'Republican' Party.

[motzman]

In my sorry city, I pay more than $1,350 annual property tax, for a 2-BR brick home, and about 65% (down from a high of 76%) goes to the sorriest public schools in the nation. Actually, I'd pay more than $1,400, but get a $50 break because I'm old.

That's NOTHING. Try living in New Jersey.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

No offense taken! I agree with what both of you are saying - I just don't think the answer is as simple as what some seem to think.

The State Legislature comes up with all these mandates, then the schools have to fund them, whether they help with the education of their students or not. They determine the curriculum, not the needs of each school.

Some schools in Texas are better than others - some districts just do a better job of managing money and talents - my children were NOT in a good district and I pulled them out and homeschooled.

But here in Pennsylvania we are paying more in taxes than we were in Texas but both of my children are back in public school and I am very pleased with the level of dedication and skill of their teachers. They are paid well here and a lot is demanded of them..... I think a lot of what happens in a school district is determined by the upper management -

Our schools here in PA are also in a crunch and are looking for new funding ideas..... the State has dropped it's level of funding from over 75% to less than 30% over the past 10 years....... the burden is directly on the local taxpayers and it is hurting the elderly tremendously...

I appreciate your comments and I hope that we all get the help needed to fund schools so they can work they way they should...

[Dan from Michigan]

drafting a school-funding formula that would include a statewide property tax,

There is a reason Michigan got rid of this ASSININE plan back in 1994.