Texans should no longer have to endure the burden of the margin tax. Lawmakers should provide meaningful, lasting tax relief while unleashing an even larger wave of economic growth by funding essential government services within population growth and inflation, then use all available funds to buy down and eliminate the margin tax.
The Honorable Ernest Angelo's "Testimony: More Government Transparency Needed" includes Angelo's written testimony on local debt in support of House Bill 1399.
Solitary has become drastically overused by the Texas system. In other states, inmates in solitary confinement account for 1 or 2 percent of the incarcerated population. In Texas they account for 4.4 percent, many of them with mental disorders.
Texas is showing the United States what a successful economic model can be. It is high time that Texas also become an education model by allowing more choice for parents and children.
Comptroller Hegar identified nine antiquated state taxes that should be repealed this session reducing the tax burden without substantially affecting state revenue. But the roughly $16.6 million in total tax savings, according to the 2016-17 Biennial Revenue Estimate, benefits Texans by leaving more money in their pockets.
Although no one likes to pay taxes, they are an inevitable part of funding core government functions. As such, the Texas Legislature’s challenge is to develop an efficient tax system that provides necessary revenue while doing the least economic harm.