Epicenter of Bad Transportation Policy: Tarrant County
After failing to push a gas tax and fee increase through last legislative session Tarrant County officials are foolishly pushing for an even larger tax and fee package. Vic Suhm is the latest name to add to the fold of tax increase leaders like Vicki Truitt and John Carona. These officials want to skip bold moves in upstanding taxing policy and transparency opting instead to vastly increase taxes. Some of the old tax and fee increases are still present in Shum's Omnibus Transportation Investment Act but what’s more laughable than pushing tax increases during this economic season is his lip service to ending diversions something that had been lacking from previous plans, a

Taxpayers Vote Their Intrests on Property Tax Issues
The results of Texas’ constitutional election yesterday indicate Texans are tired of business as usual when it comes to our property tax system. Of the three ballot propositions dealing directly with property taxes proposition 2 had the largest margin of victory at 68%. It also boasted the most votes cast for any constitutional amendment. Proposition 2 ensures homesteads are not taxed as commercial property under “best use” terminology in appraisal code. State Rep. John Otto chaired a select Committee on Property Taxes during the 07-08 interim. Otto drafted and worked hard for this measure as a result of testimony he heard from Texans on that interim tour. All Texan

Strong Fumes Cost Taxpayers
Potter County officials may have spent too much time researching the object of their latest desire. Exposure to heavy fumes is the only way one can reasonably explain the purchase of $450 per gallon paint. Potter County commissioners instructed Facilities Director Mike Head to prepare a sample of a special epoxy paint they are considering for use in the County's ongoing courthouse restoration project. The total hit to the budget for this paint totals $22,000. The lone voice of reason and opposition to the measure came from sitting Commissioner Joe Kirkwood. Though the paint may have the potential to last 30 years does not mean it will. Vandalism, changing tastes and

Voters Should Reject FWST Recomendations
Not surprisingly, the Fort Worth Star Telegram editorial board is offering poor advice to taxpayers. We at Texans for Fiscal Responsibility are going to be recommending that voters support propositions 2, 3 and 5 while keeping in mind they are temporary and incomplete solutions to the ultimate problem, our property tax system. Texas’ property tax system is a complex and costly taxing mechanism and we would all be well served to move away from it as a source of funding. The first property tax amendment on the ballot is Proposition 2, which will change current appraisal practices, restricting taxing entities from taxing homesteads at commercial appraisal level

DIUT: Driving Under the Influence of Text
Texting while driving is an issue that has been in the spotlight over the last half-year and increasingly state legislatures, including Texas', are planing on doing what they do best: try and legislate the problem away. In this case that may not be necessary and in fact detrimental. Market Solutions: Recently the Wall Street Journal reported that insurance companies were working on phone apps that would lock phones from texting or calling while a car was in motion (there would be exceptions for 911 calls). In return for installing the application the insured driver would get a break on their premiums. The insurance companies also save based on the assumption that ther