We do need better infrastructure but we cant even use FREE federal dollars to build ****ing bike lanes in a DEMOCRAT city. Texas already uses private for-profit agencies for things like welfare. If we cant pick the contractors and where funds go they'll just hold our money hostage and funnel it into their pockets. Blue cities in red states are ESPECIALLY vulnerable to mismanagement of funds, look at Memphis, Elon Musk is pipe-lining cancer air right into black people's lungs.Lulz People are fed up here, but it doesn't matter, because they're redrawing district lines this special session. I wouldn't give the state a ****ing thing. I'll pay taxes if we can succeed from the state. I don't need my income tax going to Longview, TX where people will vote-in a criminal senator whose wife cant even stand him anymore.
Calif doesn't have a monopoly on Govt ineffeiciency / ineffectiveness this is how Gov mismanagement has been practiced in Texas
Great cities need investment. America, while good at many things, is terrible at supporting it's "world-class" cities. China. Japan. Germany. Even UK with London are working us over. Other countries have higher taxes, less wealth disparity, use the money to improve infrastructure - take pride in their cities. America and Texas have 0 XP stacked in the infrastructure category, but don't get me wrong, we shine in other categories. I also hate when private individuals commandeer public money to build the infrastructure (like a stadium) in addition to the taxes we already pay. Use your own capital or send me dividend checks.
Did you know that the gas tax of 20 cents a gallon has not changed since 1991 even though gas and the cost to maintain roads has doubled and tripled during that time period. Did you know that if they were to raise the tax by 10 cents a gallon, we could fix every road and not have a need for toll roads? Do you know why we haven't raised it? Its because politicians make get a lot of money from the toll road owners and no one in Texas wants to be the person who voted for higher taxes. If they can't even raise the gas tax by 10 cents which no one will even notice considering gas goes up all the time, do you think they would introduce an income tax? Then again, the income tax would benefit the rich since I doubt it will be applied to capital gains and they will pushing to lower or eliminate property tax, so maybe they will push it through.
Yup, it's a feature of moving here. No denying that. But a feature has also been overdevelopment on flood plains leading to loss of property in wealthy, middle class and poor neighborhoods. Critical infrastructure impacts everyone, unless you want to run on a generator 24/7. A small tax could be the only way for continued growth.
My understanding is Centerpoint maintains the infrastructure, but they don't sell the actual energy. That goes to RETs. Are large consumers working with Retail Electric Providers like everyone else? Shouldn't they pay a premium if competing for a limited load? It's great they can be capped during emergencies, but wouldn't the explosion in 365 day a year demand cause prices to go up?
Critical infrastructure can be financed through the issuance of bonds, through charging the users (tolls), through federal grants, operational revenue sources (parking, leasing space, selling concessions), and through public-private partnerships (United Airlines investing in IAH airport). You do NOT need a state income tax to finance infrastructure. Remember the federal income tax started as a 3% tax. Now the top marginal rate is over 40% when you add up everything. Never let it start. GOOD DAY
The tax revenue generated by mass population moving to tax free states are causing a larger increase in tax generation. Look at the most heavily taxed states like California , New York and Illinois They overtax their population and still have worst energy and crime and other issues so no state income tax wins in my book @Salvy
I prefer paying a property tax in Texas cause that means I own a house instead of living in a rat filled apartment in New York City homes are also assets Renting is never an asset @basso @Os Trigonum @Salvy
Im not approaching this from an eat the rich perspective. It's a simple matter of maintaining the infrastructure that benefits everyone, including the wealthy. The average American drives 15,000 miles a year, or consumes about 700 gallons on a 20 mpg average. It's probably more for the average Texan, but that's $70 a year. I cannot figure out why middle class folk are so scared of .1 a gallon when it would improve their own property values, extend the life of their cars, make things comparatively safer and keep their ac running when a storm talks out power in the hottest months. Real progress only comes from big picture mentalities, which won't get you elected in politics.
That's the initial bump. Ultimately we need to do a better job of maintenance and the current budget is spread thin. That's what will keep Houston desirable and growing. People move here for affordability but when that gets compromised, what happens? Don't have good weather or scenic views? Have well thought out critical infrastructure and properties able to withstand heavy storms. Floods have severely impacted the Third Ward to the Woodlands. No suburb is safe. It's not something I've ruled out just because taxes are evil - I would like to live in a more resilient city than we have now.
Every state has issues with nature , the earth will always change , the big one will hit California and New Orleans will never be safe from hurricanes. Innovation and technology would be the key to providing safety. Think about when the world didn’t have air conditioning or when didn’t build sewage and dams.
We have toll roads because we don't have the capital to build them with our current budget. Those roads are owned by foreign companies. At least the state toll roads are. My best friend is one of the bigwigs at TXDOT. He's a Republican that enlightened me on all this stuff.
