Houston Democrats

All of this has to be approved by a House-Senate conference committee; however, the deletion of the state property tax, which would have assured a move toward fairness in the distribution of tax dollars, makes the job of the committee easier to pass the tax legislation without many sparks and much controversy.

While increasing the state sales tax, the Republicans also voted against an amendment by Royce West that would have forced rental property owners to pass on the property tax savings--up to 23% in two years--to renters (which make up 53% of Houstonians!). Yes, we know what Republican priorities really are!

Despite legislative analysis covered by the media the last few days that the only group benefiting from this tax plan would be the wealthy, the Senate decided to move on so that the conference committee could close whatever gaps still exist. But with the framework already pretty much decided on--help the wealthy, screw the people--the conference will not provide the vast majority of Texas families with any relief.

With priorities still screwed up on the part of the Republicans, this blogger seriously doubts that the proposal will pass legal muster--especially before Judge Dietz who found the current way of funding education to be unconstitutional. But with a Republican Supreme Court already wielding a big Republican rubber stamp, well, we know what our job is: GOTV in 2006!

Kudos to Senators Gonzalo Barrientos (Austin), Mario Gallegos and Rodney Ellis (Houston) for sticking to their guns.