Despite heavy protests, an outraged public and a giant pig, the people of Michigan are facing much higher taxes, brought to them courtesy of their Democratic Governor. The conservatives stuck together, forcing the governor and her Democratic legislators (and some Republicans) to put their name on a massive increase to both the state's income tax and sales tax.
Because they didn't do anything to address spending growth, tax increases are inevitable.
Texas' lawmakers would do well to consider that. Since 2003, the All-Funds budget has been grown 35 percent. That's simply an unsustainable rate of government growth by even the strongest of economies. Unless spending is strictly controlled, and the pigs are forced to step away from the trough, Texas could get a taste of Michigan-style taxes.
