Texas Legislature Tries to Avoid Tax Increases
Every candidate vying for a legislative seat knows what lies ahead in the 2011 session: a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, probably higher. But when it comes to raising revenue, lawmakers are old hands at the old sleight of hand, employing creative accounting to avoid stepping on that political third rail, the tax hike.
“In the past, I’ve said at various times, ‘Oh, they can’t get out of this session without raising taxes,’ and then they do,” says Billy Hamilton, a former deputy comptroller of public accounts and formerly the state’s chief revenue estimator. “I ...
Comments (2)
think
There are so many dollars being misspent, wasted and excessive re allocations made to pet agendas, contracts, industries (obviously more for republicans who have had the majority in Tx).
Everyone in the professional sector to be as re-regulated , fined, taxed the same as trades. Everyone should abide by the same standards. No sector or industry should be selected for fining or exempted based on which political party is in power.
The mistake of staying on track (in expansion mode, deregulation, growth based projections, and increased spending, bonuses, etc) despite the reality that bubbles do burst without plannning speaks volumes on the lack of vision, preparation and responsiblility form those GOP majority who are elected and in charge of Texas' vast financial interests in public sector.
WUSRPH
Just a minor correction...
I know most of you were barely out of diapers back in 1991 but the fact is that
John Sharp DID NOT INITIATE the Texas Performance Review....
BOB BULLOCK DID THAT....IT WAS ONE OF HIS MAJOR CAMPAIGN ISSUES in the 1990 election...I know because I developed the concept for Bullock--and was publicly recognized by him for doing so in the Austin American-Statesman.
Sharp's role was to head up the staff that did the reviews that BULLOCK ORIGINATED.
Sharp DID NOT...DID NOT....DID NOT initiate the program....In fact, I even have a copy of the fist TPR report with a handwritten note from Sharp to me recognizing my role.
Where Sharp DESERVES THE CREDIT is in getting the Legislature to make the TPR an on-going program....which it was until his successor as Comptroller Carol “of the many names” pissed off the leadership. They then transferred to duty to the LBB where it has been conducted much more quietly than Sharp of Carol did.
Give Sharp credit where credit is due BUT DO NOT OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT THE ONLY REASON THERE WAS A TPR IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS BECAUSE BOB BULLOCK WANTED IT!