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Call to Action on Senate Tax Bill—Don’t Vote Without the Note!
July 8, 2005

On Sunday, the Senate is planning to vote on its version of the tax bill (CSHB 3) without a tax equity note.

Written by , Center for Public Policy Priorities

News387

On Sunday, the Senate is planning to vote on its version of the tax bill (CSHB 3) without a tax equity note. A tax equity note is an analysis by the Legislative Budget Board that shows the effect of proposed tax changes on businesses in different industries and families with different incomes. Since 1997, the law has provided for a tax equity note at the request of the chair of a committee considering a tax bill, and since 1997, neither the House nor the Senate has voted on a tax bill without a tax equity note. Of course, given the structure of the Senate tax bill, it will be regressive. But the Senate bill is probably better than the House bill. A tax equity note would tell us that, and tell us how much better. More important, it is bad government to pass tax bills without an official analysis of the effect of shifting taxes on different businesses and families. To read an op-ed about the importance of an equity note that we wrote during the regular session, click here.

There is no time for e-mails, letters, or visits. Pick up the phone and call the Lt. Governor at (512) 463-0001 and Chairman Ogden at (512) 463-0105 and leave a message—Don’t Vote Without the Note. They will know what you mean.

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