Mlevin

List of Texas Taxes Spans 85 Pages

A Houston television report has revealed that the list of fees imposed by Texas state government spans some 85 pages. The story notes that Governor Rick Perry and Rep. Mark Strama will work for legislation next session to ensure that these fees are either used for their intended purpose or abolished.

Texas Governments Awash in Cash While You Pinch Pennies

While most Texans are struggling to keep up, the state reported today that cities are reaping a 9.2% increase in sales tax collecitions over last year. Even as inflation plagues Texas families, it produces more sales tax revenue so maybe local governments should return some of this windfall.

Taxpayer-Funded Skate Park and Gym in Austin and Tomball

On Tuesday, Austinites can attend a forum on the design of a new $1.25 million BMX/skate park that was approved by voters as part of a larger bond in 2006. Meanwhile, the town of Tomball is considering spending $4 to $12 million in taxpayer funds on a sports arena, which would have many features provided by private gyms like Liftetime Fitness at no cost to taxpayers.

DFW Could Be on Fast Track to Higher Taxes

A Dallas Morning News editorial today indicates that proposals for new taxes to fund rail expansion have gone beyond the 1 cent sales tax increase to include a bevy of additional options, such as significant increases in the fuel tax and vehicle registration fee, as well as a “new resident impact fee” that would add $100 to the vehicle registration fee for each new North Texas resident.

Pork Barrel Projects Still in Fashion

Today it was reported that Gwendolyn Hustvedt, a professor of “fashion merchandising” at Texas State, has received a $140,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study “locally produced, certified organic, environmentally friendly or “all natural” animal fibers.”

Texas GOP Primary Ballot to Include Spending Limitation Resolution

Texas Republican primary voters will weigh in on a non-binding resolution that asks whether state and local governments should be required to limit annual budget increases to the sum of the population growth and inflation rate. The measure is likely to pass overwhelmingly, just as a similar proposition did several years ago. Hopefully, this time lawmakers will get the message.