Tax reform tops King’s plan

Local News

November 12, 2008

Weatherford Rep. seeks to revamp school funding

Anonymous The Weatherford Democrat Wed Nov 12, 2008, 09:33 AM CST

Phil Riddle

editor@weatherforddemocrat.com

State Representative Phil King has a full slate of issues to carry to Austin when the 81st regular session of the Texas Legislature meets in January.

King’s list of planned legislation is geared heavily toward property tax relief.

According to the District 61 representative, he will file legislation to pass a constitutional amendment to require any state budget surplus to be used to buy down property taxes. Additionally he plans to propose reform to the current appraisal system.

In a recent guest editorial, King wrote of his plans to overhaul the property tax system of funding public schools and replacing it with a “fairer, simpler, broad-based consumption tax that will give homeowners the promise of one day owning their home free and clear of banks and the government.”

He cited the Legislature’s attempt at easing the tax burden of Texas homeowners with $14 billion in tax cuts in 2007, which, according to King, was all but eaten up with increases in local tax rates, boosts in property appraisals and voter-approved bond debt.

“As a result of these local-level tax hikes, property tax relief has been wiped out for many Texans,” King said. “For example, 18 percent of the average Texan’s home mortgage payment goes toward property taxes every year.”

He said with Democrats narrowing the once-healthy GOP majority in the House, passage of any legislation could face opposition.

“It could be difficult to get legislation passed,” he said, “especially legislation to restrict the growth of government.

“The most difficult one will be the constitutional amendment to help with property taxes,” he said. “The government likes to spend money.”

King calls the current property tax situation in Texas a “crisis,” and likens it to the sub-prime lending crash.

“Schools must be funded,” he said, “but the current financial crisis underscores that the property tax system is akin to sub-prime mortgage lending: You can get into a house, but the long-term price you must pay is too great to bear.”

In addition, King says he’d like to legislatively address competition in electric utilities, and the newly formed Trinity Groundwater Conservation District in the upcoming session.

Text Only

Local News

Wildlife volunteers needed
Like any other mother, Donna Robinson has pictures of her “babies” on her phone.
“Let me show you,” she said eagerly. “I’ve got lots of pictures of the kids.”
She scrolls through the photos — there’s one of a squirrel with milk on its mouth after a feeding. Oh, there’s a cute one of two tiny possums looking over her shoulder as she feeds another “baby.” Aww, there’s the group of four raccoons named after the Beatles: Ringo, Paul, George and John.
Ok. She’s not your “ordinary” mom.

February 6, 2012 2 Photos
Water woes on floodplain in Weatherford
When Wendy Walling purchased her home in the Briarwood subdivision off of Sante Fe Drive in the mid-1990s, her son could easily jump from one side of the small creek behind the home to the other.
“My son was in fourth grade (when we moved in) and he could actually jump across the creek,” Walling said.
By 2007, however, Walling said the width of the creek had begun to expand.
“(The creek) can hold water now and before it never could,” Walling said.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
DPS: Motorcyclists didn't see slowing truck
February 6, 2012
Kidnapper gets 99 years
February 6, 2012
Judge tosses plea in horse deaths
February 6, 2012
Weatherford junior to perform with All-State choir
When she was a little girl, Cassandra Kirby used to climb up next to her grandmother’s big fireplace and sing songs during the holiday get-togethers.
While she has a reserved and polite personality, recalling these memories makes a big smile break out onto Kirby’s face.
Get her talking about songs and suddenly she’s effusive and happy.

February 5, 2012 1 Photo
Rock solid gymnasts
February 3, 2012 2 Photos
WCS gala slated for Feb. 11 at Clear Fork
February 3, 2012
CASA of Parker County seeking new volunteers
February 3, 2012
Millsap lends helping hand to one of its own
February 3, 2012
More Local News Headlines

The Komen Foundation recently cut ties (before announcing they would reinstate them) with Planned Parenthood and stopped funding breast cancer screenings — was that a good thing?

Local News

Search Results