Action Update - Issue 87 :: January 26, 2007

Taxpayers know there is something fundamentally wrong with our current appraisal and property tax system. Yet, because of the confusing and complex nature of the existing process, it is difficult for the average homeowner to determine who is accountable for property tax hikes that are far in excess of the rate of inflation.

Some local taxing entities lay the blame on the appraisal districts. The appraisal districts respond that they simply set the “fair market value” of properties and that is the taxing entities which determine how much of those increased revenues garnered from higher appraised values should be spent – and what, if any of those increases, should be returned to the taxpayers in the form of reduced property tax rates. One important result that needs to come out of these hearings is greater accountability within the appraisal process itself.

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From Peggy Venable, Americans for Prosperity About The REPORT

All property taxpayers deserve relief.

By proposing spending limits which put taxpayers in greater control over the growth of government, elected officials would simply need to make their case for higher government spending.  If they can’t make their case, they should not continue to dig deeper into taxpayers’ pockets. 

We urge the legislature to act quickly to put taxpayer protections in place. 

Associated Press Fabricates Inaugural Fiasco

Ted Nugent is well known for his rock and roll, patriotism and unbridled enthusiasm for the Second Amendment.  Now he's fighting back about an Associated Press report stating he shouted offensive remarks about illegal immigrants.  This stage front witness did not hear those remarks.  We heard great classic rock, a salute to our military personnel and a tribute to James Brown. (We also enjoyed the disparaging remarks about Kinky, Bin Ladin, and France!)

Unlike some conservatives who would simply take a deep breath and go on, the unpredictable Nuge wants to set the record straight.  Enjoy the video from this Waco television interview.   Here is an amazing column in the Waco Tribune: Surprise, more lies aimed at a lover of America, liberty

The Dropout Drain: How Dropouts - Not School Choice -

Take Money From Public Schools
School choice saves students and dollars
By Jamie Story  - Texas Public Policy Foundation

Opponents of school choice fight parent choice and competition among schools by arguing that school choice takes money from schools. Unfortunately, they turn a blind eye to what is both a serious problem in education and the largest drain on school funding: dropouts.

Every hour of every school day, 93 students drop out of Texas public schools. While a few of these students may move to a private or home school, the majority have abandoned school completely.

The Texas Education Agency claims a high school graduation rate of 84 percent, but most independent researchers report that only two-thirds of Texas students graduate high school.

The crisis is even worse in urban areas. Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth all have graduation rates below 50 percent, according to a study by the Gates Foundation. Houston ISD alone loses 43 students every school day.

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RECOMMENDED READING:

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• Bold Texas - Don't let the liberals control the blogging world! 
  Jump into this online discussion for Texas conservatives!

• Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying Hurts the Average Citizen
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INFORMATION:
Janelle Shepard, Executive Director
Texans for Texas, Inc., 815-A Brazos St #384, Austin, TX 78701-9996.
© 2004 Texans For Texas, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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