Texas State Income Tax 'On the Table' as Austin Goes After Robin Hood School Funding Scheme

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 02-04-03 | AP

[churchillbuff]

I wonder whether it might be cheaper to give the kids in poorer districts VOUCHERS than to raid other districts even more, or to start a state income tax.

[Doctor Stochastic]

It was in action during the 1950s at least (Gilmer-Aiken passed in 1947). The rich districts put some of their money in a pool to fund the poorer districts. The Permian Basin schools funded lots of others. Much of the school system money came from a tax on oil and gas.

[Elric@Melnibone]

My question is if anyone has actual EVIDENCE of the fiscal impact of immigration of Texas.

What kind of evidence do you want?

So far as I know, no one has ever done a study saying it costs X number of dollars.

On the other hand, it is inarguable that cities such as El Paso are spending funds on people whom they should not.

A relevant example would be the several school districts of El Paso county. The schools are supposed to provide educational services to those children which reside in their school districts. And only to those children which reside in their school districts. People enrolling their children in school are supposed to provide "proof" that they live within the district. School administrators are supposed to verify that the residence in, indeed, in the district. And that it is a residence, as opposed to a mail drop or the address of a friend, etc. (They generally don't as it's not in their best interest: more bodies = more money.)

Just visit any school neighborhood near opening or closing time and check the vehicles with Fronteriza Chihuahua license tags (or, occasionally, NEW Mexico license tags).

Are you going to argue that this doesn't constitute a "fiscal impact"? Or just that it isn't significant.

The school administrators, despite their actions (or lack thereof) say it is significant and, given the overcrowding of the El Paso schools, I would tend to agree with them (my daughter's elementary school had around a dozen portables and a school population that was something like 40% over the design population).

The local hospitals will tell you similar stories.

Oh, and just for the record, this isn't, strictly speaking, immigration, legal or otherwise. These people are "merely" availing themselves of our services, gratis.

I'm sure this isn't the sole cause of the budget deficit; sales tax increased something like 60% from 1991 to 1999, property taxes likewise escalated, water and other utilities because outragous...it all adds up. This is just one part of it.

OTOH, there is a significant federal presence in El Paso: Border Patrol, INS, FBI, Army, even knew a couple Coasties down there. This definitely has a HUGE positive impact on the local economy.

[1L]

>>Considering that illegal immigrants are not eligible for many State services <<

They are eligible for education, at about 5 grand a year a pop.

[unixfox]

A state income tax will never pass a vote in Texas.

Sure it will, those who do not pay taxes will gladly vote for the goodies that they do not have to pay for. Why do you think the ILLEGALS are flowing across our borders?

[Doctor Stochastic]

Thanks.

[basil]

Actually, what they need to do is cut out all the unnecessary crap that our money is wasted on. If a politician would run with that as his promise, he would win hands down, IMHO. Do you have any idea how much of this taxpayer money goes to administrators? Some of the schools my kids attended had as many as five or six assistant principals, for goodness sakes! And that's only the start.

[bradactor]

I heard on a local talk show Wednesday morning that Tom Craddock, the new Speaker of the House said "No" on this idea. I don't see it happening