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March 16, 2005
Kudos to Sylvester Turner for Vigorously Fighting Passage of HB3!
St. Representative Sylvester Turner battled for the poor in the Texas House’s debate over the tax bill Monday.
Sylvester Turner
St. Representative, District 139
Speaker Pro Tem
For immediate release Contact: Sue Davis
March 15, 2005 713-392-6011
Turner Battles for Texas’s Poor
St. Representative Sylvester Turner battled for the poor in the Texas House’s debate over the tax bill Monday.
Every major newspaper in the state reported Tuesday on Turner’s fight on the floor of the House to ensure that the $10.8 billion tax bill, part of a package to overhaul education financing, would be fair.
“Today, we’re asking the poor to do much more and we’re not even educating them with the money that they are giving,” Turner said. That quote appeared in the Houston Chronicle, Amarillo Globe News, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and San Antonio Express.
As the battle waged into the night, Turner debated his colleagues. “The people who pay the most…are the people who can least afford it.” (Fort Worth Star Telegram)
Turner pointed out that while most families will receive a property tax break under House Bill 3, they would pay more in overall taxes because of the increase in the sales tax.
“’It is tax redirection where the poor are paying more. The insurance companies and the utilities are paying less,’ Turner said.” (Houston Chronicle)
Turner said the new and increased taxes might be able to be defended if school children benefited from the deal. “’But every tax goes to property tax reduction and none goes to education and something is wrong with that,’ Turner said.” (El Paso Times)
Congratulations from around the state poured in for Turner the next day. Texas Democratic Party Chair Charles Soechting said he was proud of Turner.
“He is an example for all Democratic legislators,” Soechting said.
Posted by Lyn Wall at March 16, 2005 12:37 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Sylvester remains true to his constituency, and the core values of the Democratic Party -- which is quite ironic considering that during his 2003 mayoral run, Democrats crucified him for working with the House Republican leadership and accomplishing the same sorts of good things that he is accomplishing now.
It was grossly unfair to him. Meanwhile, Bill White didn't even vote in last year's Democratic primary -- for fear of offending Republicans -- and he is still touted as more of a Democratic leader than Sylvester. No wonder so many people think there is some hypocrisy, and maybe worse, at work in the Democratic party!
Posted by: Dale Napier at March 16, 2005 01:50 PM
I applaud Sylvester Turner's efforts to fight HB3 and he makes a good example for other Democrats to emulate.
Here's an article from today's Austin-American Statesman about how language added late to HB3 will hasten legal challenges. The provision will weaken the role of Travis County's district courts in cases that challenge the state's education and tax systems. Any challenge under the amendment will go straight to the Republican-controlled Texas Supreme Court.
Posted by: Marc Olivier at March 16, 2005 02:55 PM
There is no doubt that the Republicans continue to volley shots in what is truly a class war against those with the least.
Posted by: Stace Medellin at March 16, 2005 03:37 PM
Gee - the database I got from Harris County for the 2004 Primary shows a William White of 101 Stablewood who voted early in the Democratic Primary. That is the Mayor's address and name.
Posted by: Joy Demark at March 16, 2005 05:57 PM