I'm with you. I've done the math a bunch of times as well. If you are non retired working person you are probably better off with the property tax.

On the property tax subject I struggle with the fact that you perpetually pay to own something is all. I’d rather see revenue generation in other ways.

So yes I would trade, I am for a flat income tax and no return (no scams that way), a national sales tax , vice taxes , consumption taxes, even a sales tax on a home as long as it’s never taxed again.


For the record I live in a 2 bedroom townhome not a massive mansion that I pay a ton of tax on.

Not sure if this was directed at me but I assure you I am not clueless, and you are probably a good candidate for the bunker

WOW you pay the school tax so that there are schools in your area. WHEN you go to sell your house the value of your house will be much higher than a area with no schools where kids have to travel a long ways to attend a school.

No income tax currently, so property tax and sales tax are higher. Add an income tax, will they reduce the sales tax and property tax?

I sure hope this passes! The last thing we need in Texas is a state income tax!!

NEVER believe a politician has OUR best interest at heart. Fight for every dollar. Fight for every right they try to impose or take away. Erosion doesn't happen instantly most of the time...it's a slow death. If you give them the ability to tax you that is perpetual. Keep a very short leash on ALL politicians. They bite...metaphorically and literally. One way or another they'll get their money.

For me a consumption tax is the only true fair way to tax everyone equally. You pay tax on how much you spend and everyone pays the same rate. But that will never happen. It's too simple and easy to track. They can't hide the money as easily. Oh, they'll still hide and cheat, but maybe, MAYBE, we can hold them more accountable.

All this said...VOTE yes. It reads kind of backwards. If you vote yes you are voting to NOT have a state income tax.

Never really looked at it that way. I still have to pay property taxes if my rental property is vacant. If its occupied and the property taxes don't get paid, they are coming after me, not the renter. Rent is market driven and I suppose property taxes play a role in the market price so I see your argument there I guess. Either way, I take issue with people being able to vote in these huge bond elections that pay no property tax. They are essentially spending other peoples money. You should have to provide proof of property taxes paid to vote on issues effecting property tax rate. The last bond election in Palestine came down to a difference of less than 100 votes. So legal age voting kids living at home, people living in free govt housing, etc that pay no taxes can make a difference even though they have no skin in the game.

Also, I do believe that people with kids in school should shoulder more of the burden than people that do not have kids using the public education system. And yes, I do have kids in school so I'm not just saying that to reduce my own taxes.

Keep in mind you end up paying for other people's kids one way or another...I'd rather pay taxes to have them in school for an education than pay higher taxes for welfare and prisons.

I agree apartment owners pay property tax and charge to renter's. So that is a myth. I am trying to think who does not contribute to property tax in Texas in some way, direct or indirect. Can't think of any off hand. Kids living at home is still living in a home that pays property taxes.

Someone complained about 16k in property tax, well that is your choice, i'm sure you could reduce that fairly easily.

But we should not allow income tax, without big property tax reductions.

Lots of people don't contribute to property taxes. Your definition of indirect payments is way more liberal than mine. Either way, we do agree that an income tax is not the answer. One thing we have learned around here though is that the property tax rate really doesn't matter. If the city and schools don't get the tax rates they want, they just raise the property values to whatever they want. So they end up getting a blank check no matter what. I was able to fight my value one time and win. The last two times they raised it I lost the appeal.

The fairest tax is a sales tax. Everyone pays and everyone pays the same percentage. The people who buy expensive "luxury" items pay more in total dollars. The idea that a person, especially a retiree, who paid for his home over 15-30 years can lose it because government levies property taxes he can't afford to pay ought to concern all of us.

One of the reasons I plan to continue living in Texas is the lack of a state income tax. I'll vote against it. The idea that other taxes would be lowered if an income tax passed is fantasy.

This is a fair point. So is the point about retirees paying high property tax after they stop working. The system is not perfect for every individual in every stage of life, but I continue to believe its better as a whole.

Like it or not... roads, schools, police, fire, EMS, etc need to be funded. It takes perpetual revenue to pay for these perpetual services. The revenue has to come from somewhere and I simply prefer that it not come from my income. I prefer it to come from items that I have an element of control over (i.e.: property tax, luxury tax, sales tax, etc..)

I'm all for lower taxes and know that a lot of fat needs to be trimmed... so don't start bashing me as a Socialist. I'm a fiscal conservative.

While retirees take a hit during retirement, in most case they are better off over their entire lifetime. Also, let's not forget that retirees in other states pay state income taxes on their investments, pension distributions, and SS distributions.

About the only scenario I can think of would be someone living in an RV who just moved from one government controlled campground to another. Like from one COE park at lake X to another COE park at lake Y.

I'm against most tax in general, but one benefit of an income tax vs property tax is that when you are unemployed you don't pay income taxes because you don't have an income. Guess what you still have to pay the same property taxes. Also, do you ever really own your property if you have to pay the government to keep it? Just my .02