Author Topic: Abbott, Patrick, and Bonnen Sticking with Sales Tax Increase  (Read 415 times)

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Online Elderberry

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Texas Scorecard by Brandon Waltens May 3, 2019

“I hope we get enough votes to make this a constitutional amendment,” said Patrick.

Texas’ “Big Three” state leaders aren’t budging on their support for a sales tax increase, as they begin a sprint to pass a sales tax increase before the end of the legislative session just a few short weeks away.

In a joint press conference Friday afternoon, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen echoed similar remarks they made earlier in the year about the importance of property tax reform.

Abbott talked about the recent passage of Senate Bill 2, property tax reform legislation which passed the House this week, calling it “a landmark reform that alters the punishing property taxes in Texas by limiting the ability of school districts to increase property taxes above a 2.5 percent increase.”

“But, even with the passage of that law, what it will really achieve is to slow the growth of property taxes in Texas,” he added.

But with all the talk about property tax reform early in the session, Abbott said he was often asked by taxpayers about relief.

“If we are able to pass a sales tax increase that will be dedicated to driving down property taxes, we are going to be able to leave this Capitol and inform our fellow Texans that their property tax bills are going to be less than they were this year,” he argued.

Current proposals put a 1 percent sales tax increase on the November ballot for voter approval, with Bonnen adding he was tired of playing “small ball,” and “that penny will be noticeable.”

More: https://texasscorecard.com/state/abbott-patrick-and-bonnen-sticking-with-sales-tax-increase/

Online Elderberry

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Re: Abbott, Patrick, and Bonnen Sticking with Sales Tax Increase
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2019, 12:03:24 pm »
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Good morning! For years Texans have basked in the warm glow of our own boasting about being the biggest and reddest state. Yet while Texas lawmakers are growing government and considering tax increases, other states are showing how conservatives can govern when they are faithful to their principles and promises.

Here is today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan Monday, May 6, 2019

    The Texas Legislature began their 2019 session with a $9 billion surplus. Rather than giving it back to the taxpayers, the commanding Republican majorities of both the House and Senate chose to grow government at alarming – and unsustainable – rates. The big spending is driven by Gov. Greg Abbott under the guise of buying off Democrats heading into the 2020 election.   

    For years Republicans have promised to deliver on property tax relief and reform – and have failed to deliver. With a month left in the legislative session, Abbott has begun pushing a massive tax increase with the promise the proceeds would fund tax relief.

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“While the talk at the Texas capitol is focused on facilitating property tax relief with a state sales tax hike, the numbers make it clear that property tax relief does not need to be paired with tax hikes. By keeping spending in line with population growth and inflation, which would still permit substantial growth in the state budget, lawmakers could also free up space in the budget to provide property tax relief without an offsetting sales tax hike.” – Patrick Gleason