Stage 4

The article i read was Asking Texas voters to swap higher sales taxes for property tax cuts by Ross Ramsey. The article begins by proposing a cent increase in sales taxes as a potential amelioration to the fiscally encumbering property taxes people are experiences. Although one cent seems prima facie to be minute, it would actually lead to a collective increase of 5.1 billion dollars in tax revenue. The author then begins to dissect the various motivations by tax increases such as relieving some of the tax burdens put on public school districts. Which pay an enormous sum of money, something on the order of 14.7 billion annually. The article ends on the legislative measures that are being taken to ensue some form of change in the coming years in regards to Texas's tax code. The articles is analyzing the situation in regards to how Texas might go about correcting its tax system. The crucial assumption underlying the authors analysis is that the system is broken. I would agree with this. Texas needs to mitigate the extent of financial burdens that schools are experiencing and learn how to divert fiscal responsibility on to other mediums. As the author discussed, minor changes in sales taxes may be able to cover large portions of said burden. Legislators and political officials should be looking into all manner of options as to how we might begin to sustain a more productive tax system that allows us to flourish, rather than falter. This includes, potentially, an income tax. I understand that most Texans are against an income tax but when confronted with the ramifications of draining our education system, I hope people will begin to see reason.