Houston Chronicle Reports on Need for More Property Tax Relief
The Chronicle story "Homeowners still waiting for tax relief from Perry" reports most of the $2,000 promised property tax relief is evaporating due to appraisal increases, and in some school districts, rate increases. But the obstacle last session to more relief was the Legislature, not Perry.
Should Texas and Local Governments Use Tax Dollars to Subsidize Housing?
The Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs may spend $30.9 million in public funds on renovating apartment complexes in Northwest Houston to serve as low income housing. Meanwhile, Austin approved $55 million in bonds for so-called affordable housing, but should government be in this business at all?
Interim Charges to Examine Stronger Spending Limit, Streamlining Government
Today, the Texas House released the first of three rounds of interim charges and there is much to like for fiscal conservatives, including studies on strengthening the flimsy state spending limit and streamlining state government by repealing "unnecessary statutory requirements."
Job-Killing New Business Tax Exposed
The San Antonio Express-News reports that new National Federation of Independent Business radio ads assail the business tax that will take its first toll in May. The ads note some small businesses will see their tax burden rise by 1,000 percent over the current franchise tax.
State Fines Blanco County Taxpayers $80k Over Courthouse Windows
This story shows just how dysfunctional big government can be. The Texas Historical Commission is taking $80k from Blanco County taxpayers because the County, following a hail storm, replaced its wooden courthouse windows with acrylic windows that are virtually indistinguishable but considerably less expensive.Â
San Antonio Voters Reject School Tax Increases, Official Doesn’t Get Message
Voters in three out of four San Antonio area school districts rejected Tuesday’s proposed tax rate increases from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 valuation. Now the San Antonio ISD (SAISD) superintendent says voters didn’t know what they were doing when they rejected his tax increase.Â
State Auditor Blasts Bureaucrats for Sitting on Hurricane Relief Money from Feds
A eye-opening new report from the State Auditor flogs the Department of Housing and Community Affairs and Office of Rural Community Affairs for receiving $97 million in federal money in the springs of 2006 for Hurricane Rita relief and recovery, but having only expended $11 million of that money. Â
Harris County Republicans Oppose De Facto City of Houston Tax Increase
Houston Mayor Bill White has proposed a mere 1/8 of one percent tax rate decrease, but this would actually result in a large tax increase due to rising appraisal vaues, leading Harris County Republican leaders and activists to demand real relief.
Dallas ISD Trims Central Office Staff, Gets Blowback from Big Spenders
Kudos to Dallas ISD for trimming its central office staff by 163, freeing up money either for classroom instruction or taxpayers.