EAST TEXAS (KLTV) -
Governor Rick Perry has proposed something very unique in
state politics and while the prospect of it happening is slim, it is certainly
progressive. Perry has proposed that all
unspent taxes collected at the state level be returned to the citizens of
Texas. Now, before we go any further, we
need to remember that Governor Perry is in a sort of political rehab and will
face serious challenge if he chooses to run again after his current term is
up. So he is in need of a notable
political victory to repair his image with many voters. So enter this proposal to the state
legislature to amend the state constitution and allow for unspent taxes to be
returned. While this would make a
significant political statement and would most likely attract an audience
beyond our state's borders, I believe it is a poor idea and short-sided in
thought. Our state has a balanced budget
requirement that forces lawmakers to pass a balanced budget, we don't need
political pressure from a potential tax rebate plan to impact funding receivers
such as education, or roads and transportation or other vital state
services. Our representatives are
challenged enough to balance the budget and they typically do a good job of it. If more taxes are collected than budgeted
because of a robust economy, then we need to have unfunded priorities
considered or put the money into the rainy day fund. So Governor Perry needs to find another
outlet for making a statement affecting his political future and leave the
Texas constitution as is. Our teachers,
our schools, our kids and other state services need an improved budget to make
Texas even better and that will make for a Better East Texas.
