Good article on the Texas tax discussion (HB2 and HB3)

[crispini]

On HB2:

The first measure, House Bill 2, aims to boost education spending by more than $3 billion over two years. Conservative groups have praised the bill, saying it provides tougher penalties for failing schools and makes it easier for taxpayers to see how schools spend their money. The bill also would exempt high-performing schools from state regulation such as limits on class sizes in elementary schools.

Groups representing teachers and school administrators dislike the bill, saying that it does not provide the money that schools need to make up for previous budget cuts and that much of the money it does provide will have to go to mandated expenses. Their opposition is somewhat expected, but the bill has also drawn criticism from board members and parents from property-rich and property-poor districts alike.

On the Democratic alternative, which will be offered as an amendment:

Democratic leaders made the vote even more difficult for Republicans last week by proposing their own plan for school funding that they said includes $2 billion more over two years than the Republican plan does. They called for a cut in property tax rates that was half the size of the Republicans' but also said they wanted to triple the $15,000 exemption on the taxable value of a home. Businesses would see a smaller cut in property taxes.

On HB3:

Whether the House school plan will make it into law will depend on the fate of House Bill 3, which focuses on replacing $5.4 billion a year in school property taxes with a series of other taxes. The two most controversial elements of the tax bill are an increase in the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 7.2 percent and a new 1.1 percent tax on each employee's salary up to $80,000.

More....
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/03/7session.html

[Maestro]

1. Thanks again

So has HB2 passed the House or is it still up for debate? Sorry for the possibly ignorant question.

[crispini]

2. It's out of committee now.

Next it goes to the floor of the house. Looks like it's on the calendar for tomorrow. Check out this useful web page:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/help/legislative_process.htm

and here's the calendar web page:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2www/tlo/calendars/by_session.d2w/report?LEG=&SESS=&CHAMBER=H&CTYPE=House&MMYYYY=

This "Texas Legislature Online" is a totally bitchin website!

[NoPasaran]

3. You may be a political junkie if...

You've ever said anything like "This "Texas Legislature Online" is a totally bitchin website!"

[crispini]

4. LOL!

Dude, it is, though. Have you played with it? You can find out EVERYTHING that's going on down there. Knowledge is power! :7

[NoPasaran]

5. I admit it's a great site

I think it's ironic that this reactionary state is really on the leading edge of making the doings of the legislature available through elctronic media.

[sonias]

7. Political junkies are cool!

Thanks for the links Crispini. Now if I could just download the updates directly to my brain in real time.

Sonia

[sonias]

6. Here's another web site with good info

Texas Education Crisis
http://www.texaseducationcrisis.org/side_by_side_comparison.html

This comparison gives you the senate and house bill comparisons.

Sonia

[alarimer]

8. HB3 sure sound slike an income tax to me

And one that only affects lower-income people. God I hate these fucking Republicans. Is that paid by employers or by the employee? The article said it was a payroll tax. I am confused.

[crispini]

9. There are three elements to the taxes in HB3

And the payroll tax is paid by the employer. It's really just closing a loophole -- right now some businesses pay this tax, others don't, depending on the type of business it is.

[alarimer]

10. okay

I was all set to be pissed off.

[sonias]

11. Ah but there are already loopholes developing in closing the loophole

Walmart is lobbying the Lege to get a cap on the amount for large retailers such as, you guessed it, Walmart. Written in a way that it
only applies to Walmart. In other words Walmart won't be paying it's fair share like every other business. So who will be next company or industry to get a weasel clause.

Sonia