Illegal immigration
Although securing our borders is a federal responsibility, Texas
is obligated to protect the safety and well-being of its citizens. Texas
must act now to aid our law-enforcement officials on the border and
restrict government handouts to those who have entered our country
illegally. If Oklahoma can get tough on illegal immigration, so should
we. Politicians have talked about this problem for years, but they do
nothing once they get to Austin. It is time to walk the talk.
Appraisal caps
Government appraisers are under tremendous pressure to increase
the appraised value of your home for tax purposes. I favor eliminating
annual appraisals and using the value of your home when you bought it.
This will put the pressure back where it belongs--on the politicians who
set our tax rates.
Government spending
The Texas Legislature authorizes a state budget every two years.
In 2005, the legislature increased spending by 19 percent and, in 2007,
by 20 percent. This spending far outpaces any increases in population
and inflation. In fact, the last session of the legislature exceeded the
constitutional spending cap for the first time in history. We must reign
in spending now.
Taxes
The Texas Legislature has a big appetite for your money. But, in
2005, you were promised a $2,000 property-tax cut. I didn’t get mine;
did you get yours? What happened? With increased tax appraisals, the
money was all but gone before the cut even took effect. And guess what’s
coming? A new “business income tax” in 2008. And who, ultimately, will
pay that “business” income tax? That’s right, you. We should reject any
income tax, whether charged to businesses or to us personally.
College Tuition
In 2003, the Texas Legislature passed the buck on college
tuition and allowed state universities to set their own rates. After the
legislature abdicated its responsibility, college tuition in Texas went
up an average of 43 percent. It is up 104 percent at the University of
Texas and 65 percent at the University of Houston. This has made it even
more difficult for working families to send their kids to college. The
legislature needs to step up to the plate and help make college
affordable again in Texas.
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