Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Here in Texas we like to pride ourselves on our approach to state government. Compared to the rest of the nation we are doing many things right. However the other day I saw an article on a business website that ranked the Top 10 Worst States in terms of the burden of their property taxes on landowners. Texas was number three on the list … behind only New Hampshire and New Jersey. Let me tell you when youre in the company of the Northeast in tax policy something is very wrong.
The property tax in Texas is outdated. It was designed and implemented to levy taxes on farmers and ranchers when agriculture was the backbone of our economy.
Most folks worked on lands that stayed in the family for generations and never stepped foot into a city except on the occasional trip to the department store or to catch a show.
Our state has changed since then. We have grown through an industrial economy and are now in a service economy but we still tax our people as if we were all farmers!
I have introduced several pieces of legislation to end this outdated method of taxation. It burdens the middle class and creates a real barrier to home ownership and self-sufficiency which stands in stark contrast to our conservative philosophy. In addition the property tax unfairly takes from a minority of citizens (landowners) to fund public interests such as schools and hospitals which are used by all citizens.
In 2009 I authored a bill (HB 2563) with Reps. Ken Paxton and Bryan Hughes to end financing our schools with the property tax and to move our state towards something more equitable and less detrimental to our state economy. If public education is the top priority of our state which along with roads and public safety it ought to be then we need to dramatically restructure how it is paid for and by whom.
For too long landowners have financed public education and our state has mismanaged the appropriation of those hard-earned dollars with an unfair and broken funding formula. Far too often property-rich ISDs receive more money from the state than property-poor ISDs leaving these poor schools at a distinct funding disadvantage with no recourse. Its not right and its time we got serious about reform.
This issue will not go away or get better in time.
Our property tax is outdated and unfair. We need sweeping reforms to bring Texas tax model into the new century and if we conservatives are serious about changing government we need to be willing to take on these large issues.
I was proud to stand with Reps. Paxton and Hughes on this issue and hope that you will give me the opportunity to continue this fight next session.
Lone Star Legislative Summit - Nacogdoches Texas
The fourth Lone Star Legislative Summit presented by Norbord Texas Nacogdoches is set for February 15th and 16th in Nacogdoches Texas. The event kicks off with the Lone Star Reception on Wednesday Feb. 15th from 5-7 pm at the Hotel Fredonia.
On Thursday Feb. 16th Summit events begin at 7am. with a breakfast meeting at the Stephen F. Austin State University Student Center (2nd floor) and run through the afternoon.
Session topics include Jobs and the Economy Public Education Healthcare Natural Resources and the Presidential Election. For detailed information about the schedule panel topics speakers and registration click here .
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Here in Texas we like to pride ourselves on our approach to state government. Compared to the rest of the nation we are doing many things right. However the other day I saw an article on a business website that ranked the Top 10 Worst States in terms of the burden of their property taxes on landowners. Texas was number three on the list … behind only New Hampshire and New Jersey. Let me tell you when youre in the company of the Northeast in tax policy something is very wrong.
The property tax in Texas is outdated. It was designed and implemented to levy taxes on farmers and ranchers when agriculture was the backbone of our economy.
Most folks worked on lands that stayed in the family for generations and never stepped foot into a city except on the occasional trip to the department store or to catch a show.
Our state has changed since then. We have grown through an industrial economy and are now in a service economy but we still tax our people as if we were all farmers!
I have introduced several pieces of legislation to end this outdated method of taxation. It burdens the middle class and creates a real barrier to home ownership and self-sufficiency which stands in stark contrast to our conservative philosophy. In addition the property tax unfairly takes from a minority of citizens (landowners) to fund public interests such as schools and hospitals which are used by all citizens.
In 2009 I authored a bill (HB 2563) with Reps. Ken Paxton and Bryan Hughes to end financing our schools with the property tax and to move our state towards something more equitable and less detrimental to our state economy. If public education is the top priority of our state which along with roads and public safety it ought to be then we need to dramatically restructure how it is paid for and by whom.
For too long landowners have financed public education and our state has mismanaged the appropriation of those hard-earned dollars with an unfair and broken funding formula. Far too often property-rich ISDs receive more money from the state than property-poor ISDs leaving these poor schools at a distinct funding disadvantage with no recourse. Its not right and its time we got serious about reform.
This issue will not go away or get better in time.
Our property tax is outdated and unfair. We need sweeping reforms to bring Texas tax model into the new century and if we conservatives are serious about changing government we need to be willing to take on these large issues.
I was proud to stand with Reps. Paxton and Hughes on this issue and hope that you will give me the opportunity to continue this fight next session.
Lone Star Legislative Summit - Nacogdoches Texas
The fourth Lone Star Legislative Summit presented by Norbord Texas Nacogdoches is set for February 15th and 16th in Nacogdoches Texas. The event kicks off with the Lone Star Reception on Wednesday Feb. 15th from 5-7 pm at the Hotel Fredonia.
On Thursday Feb. 16th Summit events begin at 7am. with a breakfast meeting at the Stephen F. Austin State University Student Center (2nd floor) and run through the afternoon.
Session topics include Jobs and the Economy Public Education Healthcare Natural Resources and the Presidential Election. For detailed information about the schedule panel topics speakers and registration click here .
