Several months ago we wrote about lawmakers hiring "ghost workers" after several news sources brought the practice to light. Rep. Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton) was paying attention and has filed legislation aimed at ending this ponzi scheme.
Daniel Greer
King Addresses Texas Sub Prime Taxes
Though this is not a new development it warrants repeating that Rep. Phil King of Weatherford is working to reform the Texas property tax juggernaut. The Weatherford Democrat reports that King’s legislative efforts in the upcoming session will be geared primarily towards lowering property taxes.
Humble ISD Begging for More Money
It is aggravating when superintendents ask for more money because they are operating with a deficit but it’s infuriating when they ask for it while operating with a surplus!
That is the name of the game in Humble ISD where Superintendent Dr. Guy Sconzo is begging tax payers to approve a 13 cent tax hike on November 22. He complains that what we have in Texas is an “inequitable” system of funding schools when what we really have is an inequitable system of running schools.
Texas is number 1!
No, not the University of Texas football team, the State of Texas according to a piece by the Financial Times of London.
Texas was ranked number one in its measured ability to weather the current economic downturn based on four economic indicators.
Obsessed with Reform
While the Fort Worth Star Telegram editorial staff is recommending Phil King for H.D. 61, they aren’t endorsing his pursuit of sound policy. They like his years-in-office, but they write that they have to hold their nose over his ideas about protecting taxpayers, bringing accountability to government and ensuring a strong economy.
Tax Dollar Spending Zone
Travis County Commissioners are doing their best to make sure taxpayers aren’t stuck paying the bill for county employees’ parking and toll violations.
Accountability is Public Humiliation for Board Members
Texas Rep. Charlie Howard R-Sugar Land crashed Fort Bend ISD’s tax raising party on Monday and did not hold any punches. Howard said he was "disappointed" with the taxing entity’s decision to raise taxes, pointing out that while the school district was raising its property tax rate other taxing jurisdictions, such as Fort Bend County and the city of Sugar Land, were lowering theirs.
Quarter Million Dollar Man
This article is short and sweet folks, the Northside ISD school board knows that Bexar County residents don’t want their taxes raised but they don’t give a hoot.
Charitable Czar
Dallas’ homeless Czar is looking to increase the size of his kingdom with a $40 million expenditure. The Dallas Morning News is reporting on a plan that would construct up to 700 homes for the homeless.
A New Rubric
Superintendent Jennings Teel and Navasota ISD trustees were chastised by teachers at a school board meeting on Monday. The teachers claimed that the group had dealt with them in a caviler manner and had exhibited generally poor decision making abilities. The merit of those allegations is subjective and therefore difficult to validate what is not is Mr. Teel’s resolve to keep taxes low.