Spending the surplus? Texas Legislature Drunk with Ideas of New Riches!
I’m just a simple man, from humble beginnings and with not a whole lot of book-learnin’. But, I’m not sure I get this “spend the surplus” fever the Lege seems to have. Especially the brilliant idea to use the surplus to reduce property taxes. That one is a doozy in my mind. I have tried to come up with some fun analogies here, but it’s still early.
The surplus should not be used to reduce taxes. Taxes generate income for the state. Sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down. This year, you are suddenly up a few pennies. Instead of cutting taxes, maybe you should be a little more responsible with the money. Maybe you could use it to upgrade computers and facilities at schools, or maybe for road projects, or any number of one time expenditures that the state needs. By using the surplus to reduce taxes, you cut off the stream of income that this year got you that surplus in the first place.
Now, reducing taxes is a great idea…an important endeavor and the Lege should consider as a constant goal. But the idiocy we saw last night reminds us that the Lege ain’t got the sense God gave a mule.
We posted a lot about last night’s debates. So scroll down and check them out.
Comments (11)
Roads? We could build roads with the surplus money?!?!?
Does Krusee know this?!?!?!
One other thing being left out of this… the surplus isn’t property taxes revenue. Basically, the R’s are planning a massive handout from one group to another. So much for not believing in wealth redistribution.
God, y’all were busy last night!
If there’s any surplus left, I’ve always wanted a pony.
Ponies rock!
Couldn’t we just send that surplus to the private schools for the rich white kids to use?
White people are the devil.
idiot.
Amen, Wonk.
Shhh, do not tell Krusee the money could be spent on roads. Oh well, he loves tolls anyway. I just love the word surplus and would really like to see it spent to help people - regular people. Oh, and to get Dave a pony.
I know, but it would be a chance for Krusee to make up with Sal Costello which I think would be really sweet in a Degrassi Jr. High kinda way.
Are any of our legislators worried about the upcoming decline in gasoline taxes? Texas’s tax is per gallon, no per dollar. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m driving less.
It shouldn’t take a genius to figure out this revenue source is going to go down!
Well that and Dave will be using alternative transportation.