The Best Way to Pay for Public Education
March 31, 2005
This is slide seven of Senator Shapleigh's explanation of the top 10 slides in his "A New Texas: Invest in Texas, Invest in Our Future" school finance presentation.
Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh,
Texans need property tax relief for everyone--not tax breaks for a few and tax shifts for others. Spending on public education needs to be increased so that all Texas children succeed and no one is left behind. A state income tax provides the best way to cut property taxes and improve public education for all children. Contrary to popular belief, an income tax does not need a constitutional vote since it already exists in Article 8, Section 24 of the Texas Constitution. As outlined above, a personal income tax with a specified rate takes effect only after voter approval in a statewide referendum. Two-thirds of the revenue raised must go to reduce school property taxes. The remaining one-third of income tax revenue is dedicated to education. The Constitution also states that only the voters can increase the tax rate again -- not the Legislature and not local school boards. A state income tax allows Texas voters to control the tax, gives Texas homeowners much needed property relief, and provides Texas children with the resources necessary for a 21st Century education. Our choice is simple: Invest in Kids, Invest in Our Future.
Click here, for a link to this provision in the Texas Constitution.
