Legislature should pass state income tax
Fix the system first
Regarding “Texas homeowners are shocked as appraised home values soar. But experts say don’t panic just yet.” (April 18): I write in opposition to the two proposed amendments that are up for voters’ approval or rejection. Both amendments appeal to our feelings that property taxes are too high and are a burden to our elderly and disabled citizens. I agree completely that property taxes are too high, but I also believe that our tax system is the real culprit. To take money away from education, which is already underfunded, is just wrongheaded. Instead of sending the Texas National Guard to the border and chartering buses and planes to send immigrants to Washington, why not spend our tax dollars in sensible ways to reduce crime
and to invest in education? Education should not be looked at as an expense; it is an investment in the future of Texas and the future of America.
It isn’t just that property taxes are too
high — they are, but that is because the Texas Legislature sticks their heads in the sand when it comes to a state income tax. A system that exempted all homestead-qualifying property from property taxes up to $1,000,000, combined with a responsible and moderate income tax system, would reduce our overall tax burden. That kind of exemption wouldn’t help renters, but that’s a whole other ball of wax.
Let’s solve the property tax problem, but let’s not reduce our undernourished education system in the process.
Bill Turney, Houston
Regarding “Everything’s bigger in Texas — including taxes,” (April 16): The problem with Mr. Taylor's view on implementing a state income tax, and other proponents of the idea, is that they assume property taxes would be lowered. Politicians want to hold onto their revenue streams like grim death; they will not lower property taxes to offset the added expense of a state income tax. Property taxes are assessed, collected and spent by local leaders, not the state. Also, since property taxes are based on appraised value, there is an incentive to continue raising those values to increase revenue. This makes it almost impossible for middle-income citizens to own a home, let alone low-income people. Add a state income tax on top of that? Not a good idea.
Chris Greene, Houston
Regarding “Reality check as Texas, U.S. tweak taxes on wealth,” (April 9): Taylor’s article is one of the best examples of journalistic integrity I’ve read in a long time. To even suggest in journalism today that there are two sides to a controversial issue is like taking a pin to a media bubble that often contains only one-sided views. The article is so wellwritten that it’s even difficult to agree or disagree with the proposal to tax wealth, because of both the good and not-sogood
reasons for the federal and state governments to impose such a tax. He suggests reasons such as social justice, legality and economic integrity that should be included in the decision-making process. Hats off to you, Mr. Taylor, for writing an article of such brilliant content.
John H. Reed, Jr., Houston
Michael Taylor presented a clear, fair point of view about taxes and the new bills. I agree that the very wealthy have so much money that paying additional money for taxes would not harm their lifestyles at all, and in fact, they likely wouldn’t even notice that the money was gone. Heck, I don't have anywhere near $100 million, but after various large expenditures, I don't always notice a big dip in my lifestyle either. Even still, I know plenty of people who say that the rich shouldn’t pay more in taxes, that they deserve to keep all of their money because they worked hard for it. That viewpoint has always struck me as odd. First, the rich don't need to be protected by not-rich folks. The super wealthy are doing just fine without any protection. Second, that “working hard” point is ridiculous. Many rich people don’t work hard at all, and plenty of not-rich people work extremely hard. It just boils down to the fact that people think very differently about taxes and protecting the rich, and it is very hard to change their minds, no matter how logical the arguments that try to convince them otherwise. Nancy Rilling, Houston