Time For Tax Reform Is Now
I attended a conference in Houston sponsored by Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) reviewing the highlights of the recent 81st Legislative Session . There did not seem to be much positive legislation that actually passed. The most promising report was that numerous bad bills failed!
It was reported that Proposition 2, 3, and 11 started out with the best of intentions. However, the final language for these Amendments is so convoluted, that one speaker stated that we will not know if they are good or bad, “until the courts decide.” In my opinion, that is a disgrace and a total failure on the part of our elected representatives
One exciting presentation came from former Representative Talmadge Heflin. He discussed a TTPF sponsored study which confirms that government funded by property taxes are oppressive and discourage economic growth and job creation. The study described benefits of abolishing our current property tax system and funding government with a broad based sales tax.
I later called Mr. Heflin and he said there is increased interest among some legislators to consider such an option, but it needs major discussion to make sure such a program is properly implemented, and not just replacing one bad tax system with another bad system.
The first time I actually heard about the TTPF study was when Debra Medina, candidate for governor of Texas, quoted numbers from this study showing if we expanded the current tax base, we could abolish all property taxes, actually lower the current sales tax rate and still generate the same amount of revenue.
The TTPF study is very readable. I urge others to go to www.TexasPolicy.com and down load a copy of the study. Become familiar with the information. Then call your elected representative and tell them you support abolishing property taxes and why. Let them know we have a candidate for governor, Debra Medina, who is championing this proposal and that you hope they will join our cause.
As always if we want something to happen, it is ultimately up to us. First we must educate ourselves and then we must make sure our elected representative know what we expect from them.
Get informed…make a difference…restore liberty!
