Why are property taxes so high in El Paso (Houston: foreclosure, health insurance)

[atrabilius]

Originally Posted by rosebudstar

actually the bill has to be in the name of the parent, or for instance if you live with someone you have to have a notarized paper stating that this child and parent are living with you and you are aware. I had to do this when I moved in with my parents after a divorce.

If these Mexican kids are living in the district (and also in the attendance zone of the school they're going to), they're good. They may have been sent to live with relatives or friends, as happens with a lot of kids in the US and countries other than Mexico. They may even have US citizenship on account of having been born here (or naturalized). If you're not a resident of the school district, whether you live in Texas, New Mexico or Chihuahua, then you have to apply for admission for your kid(s) and pay tuition if they're approved. I think it's several thousand dollars a year. Some people in Juarez have both the means and the inclination for that. If you don't live in the district and send your kid to a school in it anyway without going through the proper channels (like putting a fake address on the enrollment form), then your kid is a zone-jumper, and under Texas law, last time I checked, you're then arrestable for theft of services and the school district can sue you for restitution. I think the formula the law prescribes for the amount of restitution is the amount of money officially budgeted by the school district per student per day times the number of days your kid(s) were illegally enrolled, and probably times the number of kids that were illegally enrolled. This is the way it is in El Paso ISD, anyway (last time I checked the district's website), and I don't see why the other school districts serving El Paso wouldn't have similar policies.

Since Texas doesn't have an individual income tax and therefore has no revenue from it to share with cities like El Paso, they'll find other ways to raise the money they need to operate, like raising local taxes. The chances that Texas will impose an individual income tax in the foreseeable future are tiny to nil.

[TexasCCW]

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for such a crime? I doubt it.

[atrabilius]

Originally Posted by TexasCCW

Has anyone ever been prosecuted for such a crime? I doubt it.

Probably because the school districts say that in order to enroll your kids, you have to show proof of residency, like a utility bill.

[runners]

Wouldn't the teachers and school districts have an incentive to turn a blind eye to students and their parents who do not live in the district?

More students = more demand for teachers, schools = higher pay, more money for teachers, schools

[malamute]

Originally Posted by runners

Wouldn't the teachers and school districts have an incentive to turn a blind eye to students and their parents who do not live in the district?

More students = more demand for teachers, schools = higher pay, more money for teachers, schools

Yes, and the schools actually coach people who obviously don't live in the district and are trying to enroll their kids by telling them if they can't come up with a utility bill that has some name close to theirs, because the utility bill only has to be a relative or stranger with the same last name, they can get a letter from someone claiming to be a landlord instead.

28% increase in food stamps for El Paso reported in the El Paso Times today.

Food-stamp usage climbs 28% in El Paso - El Paso Times

El Paso completely avoided the recession, there are housing subdivisions going up everywhere, new businesses opening every time you turn around, but the article actually did hint at the real reason for the big spike in welfare recipients here:

The La Fe team also said some families that included U.S. citizens and U.S. legal residents moved from Juárez to El Paso to flee the violence, and are having trouble finding low-income housing.

And of course these people tend to have many children on those food stamps who will fill the schools and as they can't even afford to feed their families, they aren't paying anything in taxes to support the schools or the free hospital they enjoy. That all becomes the problem of the property tax payers, build them more free schools while they continue to have children they cannot afford.

[atrabilius]

Originally Posted by runners

Wouldn't the teachers and school districts have an incentive to turn a blind eye to students and their parents who do not live in the district?

More students = more demand for teachers, schools = higher pay, more money for teachers, schools

(rolls eyes)

[NYer75]

It's to make up for the lack of State Income Tax...not the racist reasons posted on here.

[RockyJoe817]

This is one of those postings; everyone has an opinion.
Similar to Political or Religious debates. It is easier to agree to disagree.
This issue was a problem long before the current politicians came into
the picture and will be a revolving issue in the future.

[rosebudstar]

Originally Posted by runners

Huh? Voting in and of itself doesnt make taxes lower or higher.


El Paso is a heavily democratic liberal town where those that vote, generally vote to increase services and thus taxes. In 2008, for example, 66% of El Paso voters voted for Obama.


http://www.city-data.com/city/El-Paso-Texas.html

If there is an bond up for vote about raising prop taxes for whatever reason if you ( general) don't go vote how you want it to go then your taxes could possibly go up. That is part of what makes property taxes so high. Apathy usually winds up costing you.

[XChucoresident]

high because there is really NOT that much industry in EL Paso..so the burden goes to the homeowner..I DONT live there in EL Paso..but the rest of my family does..and my mother would always say that..but you can get a lower rate for taxes on your house..if you are a senior citizen..my Dad does..since the house is in his name..!