Straus: Process to End Budget Diversions Starts Now
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus on Monday said the Texas House must get serious about undoing billions of dollars in budget diversions.
Straus stopped by a subcommittee hearing of the House Appropriations Committee to ask House members to address dozens of taxes and fees that were originally created to fund specific programs but are repeatedly tapped by lawmakers to help balance the state budget.
“We should make our budget more transparent by spending these fees for their intended purposes or not collecting them at all instead of using them for certification,” Straus said.
The taxes and fees at issue hit ...
Comments (8)
Carolyn Qualls via Texas Tribune on Facebook
yes , gas fees should go to highways and bridges!!!!!!
Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hey, let's all argue about whether they're fees or taxes!
Proud Texan
Why didn't the Speaker come up with his own tax pledge like the Governor? Oh wait, he wants to SOLVE the problem, not just talk about it and try to get headlines.
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Gas taxes paying for Perry's travel security! Rest of GOP will not support Straus; he's outta there!
Andy Jones via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Right, and I bet we never see the Sporting Goods "fee" (it's a tax) go to state parks. But it should.
J H
“I’m not saying today that we need to cut $5 billion to straighten this out,” Straus said. “What I am saying is that we should be honest in our budgeting. We should collect fees for their intended purpose or stop collecting them.”
Yes, he is saying cut $5 billion. No one will vote to relabel fees as taxes because then they will be accused of raising taxes. Don't even go to the possibility of actually raising taxes, won't happen. Use the fees for intended purposes, and they can't be used for what they are being used for. Cut the fees, and they can't be used for what they are being used for.
Call it a tax, call it a fee, call it a penalty. Who cares? The real issue is whether we are spending what ever money the government has on what is appropriate, not whether it's coming from a tax or a fee.
What a colossal waste of time...
gypsy314 ne
Texas would have billions to spare if illegal aliens were off our welfare systems and out of our schools So do not short change our children for illegal aliens and their children. I support legal immigration. America does not know who the hell is in our country and that should make every American very concerned. If American wants to save money they do not have to look very far.
gypsy314 ne
Straus is a rhino and must go