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So, Why Aren't There Enough Tax Dollars... Really?

 

So, "Is there is, or is there ain't" enough tax dollars?     Texas taxpayers are told the same old, same old story by the governor, legislators and various state agencies --- that there isn't enough tax revenue on-hand to pay for the services residents need.  So, taxpayers constantly are being asked to pay more taxes --- although the GOP platform is "No New Taxes" --- and still the people get little or no relief.  Add to all this extra taxation the fact that the cost of our daily living expenses continue escalate dramatically.   Instead of proposing bond packages for schools, roads and services and rather than to implement long-term costly toll road taxation shouldn't state government do what we families have to do when we live above our means?  Shouldn't state government review its spending and then cut out the financial "fat" while trimming-down expenses that aren't really needed?   Let's question some of the costs Texas taxpayers are forced to bear:   Gov. Perry is renovating the Governor's Mansion (the people are paying for it) and has moved into a posh home at a cost to taxpayers of almost $10,000 per month.  I seem to recall an Arkansas governor living in a trailer until his residence was renovated. Taxpayers must pay for the lifetime retirement packages for all retired legislators, that includes health benefits and approximately payments of $50,000 per year each. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uses thousands of taxpayer dollars to advertise its toll road agenda and also to lobby the U.S. Congress to change the laws so it may charge tolls on existing already-paid-for roadways. The governor and legislators refuse to provide public education with more tax dollars, saying the system must work with the money it gets; however, to get the money schools need to operate local school districts propose bonds and the local tax districts increase home appraisal values to compensate for the state's lack of adequate financing. TxDOT continues to cry poverty, saying it hasn't money in its budget to build and maintain roadways; consequently, local districts must raise more tax dollars to provide adequate roadways for their residents.   Often, to raise sufficient revenue, these districts propose road bond packages or increase the local tax rate. Legislators have created tax "accounts" from which they divert tax dollars to other interests.  Originally, each of these tax "accounts" were for one purpose but in actuality, they have become a general "slush" fund.  One such account is the gasoline tax revenue account, which initially was created to build and maintain our roadways.  These days legislators divert 40 percent of the revenue collected from the "frozen" gas tax and divert it to other interests --- hence, the shortage of transportation funds.  The blame goes to the "frozen" nature of the gas tax; however, the real reason for the shortage is due to the diversion of its revenue. Many state agencies, e.g., TxDOT, have omnipotent power or have little oversight.  Many of these agencies are NOT accountable to the people of Texas.  Many have outlandish expenditures that must be cut.  While this is true of TxDOT and many other agencies, there are some agencies that are operating in a "bare bones" status and need more money.  Some agencies, e.g., the Sunset Commission have outlived their usefulness and must be eliminated. The above are just a few of the many issues in our state government.  The lax attitude and special interest motivation has hurt Texas taxpayers.   Instead of creating changes for the better, our state government continues to be "fat".  Without more "exercise" and "trimming-down" it is only a matter of time before our state government develops a major "cardiac" problem, resulting in a fatal "stroke" that further results in "paralysis".   Government must stop demanding that Texas taxpayers continue to bear more financial responsibility for its inadequate operations.   Instead of demanding more money from residents, government must begin to heal itself.   Like most of us who need to lose weight and trim-down, government needs support to do so.  Voters must demand more government accountability before it has a major stroke.     ---

11:00 on 8 October 2007 By pstern Views: 470 Be The First To Comment Read More Site Comments

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