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Michael Quinn Sullivan Commentary
Abolishing Property Taxes, Distorted Reports, and the NFL
Dear Friend,
We both know the time is long overdue to rip the poisonous weed of property
taxes out of the state’s economic garden. We might actually get the chance if
State Rep. Phil King of Weatherford gets his way.
More about that below.
Wrong Field
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Most Texans are worried about how they are going to pay next year's property
taxes, or are concerned about how the new business income tax is going to affect
their job. The Legislature? Well, their taking time next week to listen to
Dallas Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones talk about why cable customers should be
forced to buy the NFL Network.
We sent a letter to lawmakers this week opposing legislative involvement in this
issue (you
can find the letter here). Let’s be blunt: the Texas Legislature has no
business being involved in commercial disputes. It's just not their job.
Who do you root for in a dust-up between NFL owners and the cable companies?
Neither. Root for the freedom and integrity of the marketplace. If the
Legislature gets involved here, there is literally no end to how much meddling
they could do, causing grave damage in the economy. No dispute between business
interests will be too small or too narrow. So watch your back; that
politically-connected vendor you didn't do business with just might sic the
Legislature on you.
The best solution for everyone involved – the NFL, cable companies, fans and
customers – will come from the market, not legislators. Take a moment and
vote in the online poll.
Good Ol’ Days of Liberal Power
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State Rep. Delwin Jones of
Lubbock says he misses the days when liberals ran the Texas Legislature. In
fact, he just cannot stand how bad it is now that conservatives are (nominally,
anyway) in charge. The funny thing is that he’s a “Republican.” Though you
wouldn't know it by his voting record.
Mr. Jones told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal he wanted the Legislature to
"get back to bipartisan operation, where there is smooth peace and harmony, not
the divisiveness we have had for the past three sessions." He was referring to
the time his party of record has been in power. (Jones has been terrorizing
Texans' wallets for 28 years.)
If he is so offended, maybe he should emulate State Rep. Kirk England by
switching to their mutual ideological home of the Democratic Party. Or just
follow anti-taxpayer State Rep. Fred Hill into retirement. Either way,
real conservatives washed their hands of him long ago.
How does Jones stay in office? Mostly thanks to
protection from a few barely-more conservative legislators who like having
him covering their own leftward flank. He also benefits from a newspaper that
just doesn’t tell his constituents how badly he votes.
Abolish School Property Taxes
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Weatherford’s Phil King is calling for the elimination of the school
“maintenance and operations” property tax levy, which amounts to about a third
of all property taxes. He’d replace it with revenues generated from the existing
consumption tax.
It’s well agreed on by economists that consumption taxes are a superior way to
fund government – better than property taxes and income taxes. Alan Greenspan
told Congress several years ago that modern economics has clearly demonstrated
that if you were to start a government today, you would only use a consumption
tax. The Lone Star State has the opportunity to lead the nation in this fair,
modern reform.
Efforts to reduce property tax rates in recent years have been undermined by
proponents of the current appraisal/tax systems by refusing to engage any
meaningful reform. As such, even as rates have been forced downward, tax burdens
continue to rise through the appraisal process.
Shifting to consumption taxes would be inherently more fair, while providing an
important, transparent check on the cost of government.
Research in Texas has shown that with even a mild broadening of the sales tax,
the rate could be left essentially unchanged. Enough revenues would still be
raised to accomplish Mr. King’s vision of eliminating the school M&O tax. He
should be congratulated for jump-starting the public conversation on this
important policy reform.
For Texas,
Michael Quinn Sullivan