When will the State of Texas enact some kind of property tax relief? (Houston: apartments, renting)

[dishdash11]

This is honestly the funniest thing i've heard all day. It's naive and delusional to think that implementing a small income tax would lower property taxes. I won't repeat all of the great points other posters have made...all true and more.

All you have to do is look at places like MN and IL to understand that there are states and cities that have BOTH high income taxes and high property taxes. I live in MN and my property tax rate is pretty darn close to most metros in TX. We had a budget surplus this year and not a dime went back to people, they found new ways to spend it. A few years ago when we had a surplus they spent it and also added a higher gas tax. There are an infinite number of ways and motivations to tax people and to continue to raise taxes...be very careful what you wish for.

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

We need to enact a small income tax and lower property taxes.

[done working]

Yea lets have the politicians have a way to take more of our money - thats makes so much sense. How about some push back for these damn school bonds? Hell i went to school without ac! Why do schools need these multi million dollar performance art buildings? Why are you voting to add bleachers and top tier announcer booths at stadiums when they are only used a few nights a year? Why not combine some of there districts and remove the double whammy of superintendents, counselors and tons of admin? Why does every city need two or three separate districts?

[Need4Camaro]

Admittedly this is where my conservatism ends. I don't have children but I am okay with the necessary funding to bring the best out of our schools. I wish we could concentrate on improving our higher education systems, but I do not believe any of our property tax goes toward that.

I am however against a State Income tax though. Our Property Tax will not go down if we receive one. We will just have two high taxes.

[supfromthesite]

It would be very easy to put a property tax cap and add an income tax.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

It would be very easy to put a property tax cap and add an income tax.

Easy? Yes. Will they do it? No. The state and its municipalities are already rolling in a ton of money from our existing taxes but there is little talk about capping property tax or any other form of taxation. Why would they suddenly change it if they introduced a new tax?

Illinois is a prime example, they have a higher property tax on avg than Texas and a state income tax to go ontop of that. Any new sources of revenue that tax collectors can get their hands on is always an addition to any previous methods, not a replacement.

[supfromthesite]

Texas is substantially more fiscally conservative than Illinois so that doesn’t seem like a good comparison.

All it would take is a bill that puts a property tax cap (less than what we’re paying now) and a small state income tax.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

Texas is substantially more fiscally conservative than Illinois so that doesn’t seem like a good comparison.

All it would take is a bill that puts a property tax cap (less than what we’re paying now) and a small state income tax.

Financially conservative on spending? Yes.
Financially conservative on collecting? I don’t trust our politicians that much.

[done working]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

It would be very easy to put a property tax cap and add an income tax.

And just as easy to increase the income tax rate higher and higher - you really want to give the politicians that power? I dont trust ANY political party when it comes to money - there power comes from taking it and spending it.

[supfromthesite]

It would be just as easy as raising property taxes which they are already doing. At least income taxes are more evenly distributed, and you won’t be paying them in your retirement.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

It would be very easy to put a property tax cap and add an income tax.

If it's easy to do it's also easy to undo. As I said before, a constitutional amendment is a much higher hurdle than simple legislation.