Texas. Just hearing the word makes me proud. When I think of Texas, I think of a strong state. I think of a state that stands above and beyond the rest. However, after reading the report "Texas on the Brink How Texas Rates Among the 50 States," I realize that we might not stand proud for long.
Texas rates 49th out of 50 states in tax revenue raised. This is causing and will cause enormous problems for Texas if the issue is not addressed. Even though most Texans are thrilled to see that they pay less tax than do most states, they need to understand that's because Texas has the second most regressive tax structure in the nation. Poverty-stricken families pay an average of fourteen percent of their income into taxes compared to the national average of twelve percent. One way to help fix the problem is to restructure our taxing system. There are many ways to do this. First is to increase the state sales tax. However, many will not support this, since Texas already has one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation, as well as Texas' traditionalistic/individualistic anti-government attitude. Another option is to begin a personal income tax. Due to a Texas constitutional amendment, voters must approve a law for personal income tax. Again, this will probably never happen, because of anti-government attitudes. If our per capita tax revenue does not improve, then based on the "Texas In 2030" report, Texas will not have enough money to pay for the increasing number of welfare recipients.
Texas also ranks among the lowest in total tax expenditures, including education, health, welfare, highways, and prisons. This will definitely have a poor effect on Texas as our population increases. Spending has remained at approximately the same rates in the last decade. As Texas' population increases, the spending should increase as well. Texas would have to increase taxes in order to have the money to increase their spending. However, Texans are not likely to... [continues]
Texas rates 49th out of 50 states in tax revenue raised. This is causing and will cause enormous problems for Texas if the issue is not addressed. Even though most Texans are thrilled to see that they pay less tax than do most states, they need to understand that's because Texas has the second most regressive tax structure in the nation. Poverty-stricken families pay an average of fourteen percent of their income into taxes compared to the national average of twelve percent. One way to help fix the problem is to restructure our taxing system. There are many ways to do this. First is to increase the state sales tax. However, many will not support this, since Texas already has one of the highest sales tax rates in the nation, as well as Texas' traditionalistic/individualistic anti-government attitude. Another option is to begin a personal income tax. Due to a Texas constitutional amendment, voters must approve a law for personal income tax. Again, this will probably never happen, because of anti-government attitudes. If our per capita tax revenue does not improve, then based on the "Texas In 2030" report, Texas will not have enough money to pay for the increasing number of welfare recipients.
Texas also ranks among the lowest in total tax expenditures, including education, health, welfare, highways, and prisons. This will definitely have a poor effect on Texas as our population increases. Spending has remained at approximately the same rates in the last decade. As Texas' population increases, the spending should increase as well. Texas would have to increase taxes in order to have the money to increase their spending. However, Texans are not likely to... [continues]
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