Texas Budget Deficit (San Antonio, Austin, Howe: real estate market, home, transfer)

[stillkit]

How about the Bingo Commission? They make raising money through charitable bingo damn near impossible, if you follow their rules. If you DON'T follow their rules, they're Johnny-on-the-spot to write out a fine.

What a waste of the taxpayers money.

[malamute]

Taxes are certainly not the answer. The problem in Texas is that the population is growing extremely fast but most of the new arrivals don't pay taxes. It would be wrong to tax the few taxpayers even more than they're already taxed, that isn't going to solve any problem.

[Sandstorm214]

Originally Posted by malamute

Taxes are certainly not the answer. The problem in Texas is that the population is growing extremely fast but most of the new arrivals don't pay taxes. It would be wrong to tax the few taxpayers even more than they're already taxed, that isn't going to solve any problem.

Most people moving to Texas aren't paying taxes? They don't buy things and pay sales taxes? I don't follow you here.

[BestintheWest]

I think a lot of the new arrivals are paid cash, under the table or doing contract work, therefore no taxes withheld, which is more of an effect on Federal taxes, since Texas no state income tax.
The other issue is a lot of people do not buy homes, therefore no new income stream for property taxes.
Yes they spend money, pay sales tax and gas tax, not the big ticket property tax, which is the major generator of revenue which of course includes revenue for schools.

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by aliveandwellinSA

I think a lot of the new arrivals are paid cash, under the table or doing contract work, therefore no taxes withheld, which is more of an effect on Federal taxes, since Texas no state income tax.
The other issue is a lot of people do not buy homes, therefore no new income stream for property taxes.
Yes they spend money, pay sales tax and gas tax, not the big ticket property tax, which is the major generator of revenue which of course includes revenue for schools.

Not true. Renters pay property taxes too, it's just indirectly. Whenever property tax assessements go up, so do rents.

[BestintheWest]

well, I guess they pay them indirectly through the property owner. Once again if the house or apartment is vacant the property owner still pays whether rented or not.

[crystalblue]

up to 25billion now

ouch!

Legislature likely to cut deep to meet possible $25 billion budget gap | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by malamute

Taxes are certainly not the answer. The problem in Texas is that the population is growing extremely fast but most of the new arrivals don't pay taxes. It would be wrong to tax the few taxpayers even more than they're already taxed, that isn't going to solve any problem.

How do the new arrivals pay no taxes?

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by aliveandwellinSA

well, I guess they pay them indirectly through the property owner. Once again if the house or apartment is vacant the property owner still pays whether rented or not.

Yes but in the grand scheme that apartment or house never would have been built if there hadn't been demand for this type of housing. The land would have been taxed but at a much lower rate since their would be no improvements to tax.

Bottom line is everyone pays property taxes in Texas if they are paying a mortgage or rent.

[loves2read]

Yes but in the grand scheme that apartment or house never would have been built if there hadn't been demand for this type of housing.

don't agree with that--
it is pretty easy to see developments where the city fathers have OKed building homes that stand unsold or with lots empty because there is not enough demand in that area/price range for many reasons...but the city WANTED/NEEDED the tax dollars that were supposed to come from allowing those homes/apts to be built...and they didn't
same with commercial strip malls--there are plenty of empty store fronts all over Tarrand and Dallas counties--and others--and they won't be filled for years--if ever--
again--the city council gave in to requests for improved development (and probably some kickbacks) justifying their decision with the tried and true--we need more tax money...

increasing development means more/newer streets, sewers, police/fire protection, increased energy/water demands from dwindling resources, and calls for higher levels of maintenance--
growth is not always a positive venture--
and frankly Rick Perry is too quick to offer subsidies to business to relocate to TX or "grow" their business here without considering the costs of that growth to local communities specifically or the state in general...

I think this year or the next--the state is going to consider an income tax--anathema to Texans but our legislature is not smart enough to figure out how to legislate itself out of this budget mess that too the 8 yrs of Perry's previous reign to get us into...
This state has one of the strongest economies, a relatively stable housing market, a varied base of employment--and we still can't take care of ourselves...that takes POOR MANAGEMENT to run us into a hole...