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  • Hank Scorpio
    Hank Scorpio

    I'm sorry, look at all these old fucking goblins at this thing:  Let's go one by one:  Beatrice She has not missed a single city council meeting or church bingo in 35 years. S

  • Born to Run
    Born to Run

    I’ve heard this bullshit my entire life, hell I used to believe the myth that Republicans were all about “faith in the common man succeeding when unimpeded by the govt.” Left alone business and humani

  • austingirl
    austingirl

    I do volunteer work for Beto's campaign (surprise!). I get called a "libtard" on a regular basis and get a lot of responses that are just "#MAGA!" and the like, but I also hear a lot of "who is Beto?"

That's true.

What a great song. I always try to explain that actual leftists hate liberals the way that real communists hate socialists (and liberals) and that song is the best example. 

 

BTW - Phil Ochs was from El Paso. 

Edited by Bozo_Casanova

4 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

That's true.

What a great song. I always try to explain that actual leftists hate liberals the way that real communists hate socialists (and liberals) and that song is the best example. 

 

BTW - Phil Ochs was from El Paso.  

You presume too much.  Trumpkins hated ObamaCare but loved the Affordable Care Act.     They cannot be reasoned with.  They don't have any idea what those words mean.  

1 hour ago, Nivek said:

It is the entire GOP Platform.  I got mine, fuck you.   

Look to Abbot, I got a pile of cash, but fuck you for trying to do the same.  

Look how the olds vote, I get my check, fuck everyone else.

 

I'm an old. I got mine. I still hope Dem, because it's what is right. 

What would be a realistic state income tax on say $100k gross income in Texas if one were passed.  

I don't think the school/property taxes would be reduced if a state income tax were passed,  but it is nice to think about it.  

Edited by Laga4

1 minute ago, Laga4 said:

What would be a realistic state income tax on say $100k gross income in Texas if one were passed.  

I don't think the school/property taxes would be reduced if a state income tax were passed,  but it is nice to think about it.  

That depends on what the state legislature would do with the revenue from an income tax. In most states, the income tax primarily goes to support public education. In Texas, the state government has significantly reduced its share of education spending, which has forced the school districts to raise their local property tax rates. This is the main reason why property taxes have gone up so much over the last ten years.

1 hour ago, shnsajax said:

Yeah, I have never understood that false belief especially when some areas are paying 3-3.5% property tax in Texas. The reason your property taxes are so high is because of the no state income tax, and the tax breaks given to businesses. I would rather pay a state income tax and reduce property taxes significantly and spread that cost across all workers vs just home owners. 

In fairness, renters also indirectly pay the property taxes of landlords through their rent. Your point stands though that the tax burden isn't equitably distributed across the income spectrum. Poor people who live in expensive areas are especially screwed by our reliance on local property taxes, as are children who live in "property poor" areas by way of getting a shitty education.

It's hard to make a funding argument when districts build mega stadiums for football. They have the money, they just spend it on shit they want, but don't need.

Just now, RPM said:

It's hard to make a funding argument when districts build mega stadiums for football. They have the money, they just spend it on shit they want, but don't need.

Not every town is an Allen. But, yeah, I agree. That's stupid, wasteful spending which tends to occur in "property rich" districts (i.e., wealthy suburbs or oil towns).

4 minutes ago, bolverk said:

That depends on what the state legislature would do with the revenue from an income tax. In most states, the income tax primarily goes to support public education. In Texas, the state government has significantly reduced its share of education spending, which has forced the school districts to raise their local property tax rates. This is the main reason why property taxes have gone up so much over the last ten years.

I'm just to lazy to look up what other states pay,  but I would guess Texas would be on the low end or what other states pay.  

And again,  I don't see a reduction in property taxes if we did go to a state income tax.  

3 minutes ago, bolverk said:

Not every town is an Allen. But, yeah, I agree. That's stupid, wasteful spending which tends to occur in "property rich" districts (i.e., wealthy suburbs or oil towns).

Which is where Robin Hood kinda had it right. How about we pool all the school funding and divide it equally per student? Each district gets a fair cut, every child gets an equal education.

I know it's crazy talk, but I started drinking early.

1 minute ago, RPM said:

Which is where Robin Hood kinda had it right. How about we pool all the school funding and divide it equally per student? Each district gets a fair cut, every child gets an equal education.

I know it's crazy talk, but I started drinking early.

Every man a king!

 

2 minutes ago, RPM said:

Which is where Robin Hood kinda had it right. How about we pool all the school funding and divide it equally per student? Each district gets a fair cut, every child gets an equal education.

I know it's crazy talk, but I started drinking early.

Agreed. If we stick with this funding model, I'd suggest something along the lines of either consolidating a shit ton of school districts to make them regional or do like you suggest but at a regional level instead of statewide. In either case, it'd get around the Texas constitutional ban on a statewide income tax which, let's face it, will never pass.

For one Republican, a day of truth-telling about Texas, schools and taxes

Quote

 

During what is usually a snoreworthy annual speech to business leaders, County Judge Glen Whitley of Hurst said property taxes are high because the state pays less every year of its share for public education — and then state lawmakers blame local officials for higher taxes.

Whitley, an accountant, is in his 22nd year as a county judge or commissioner. His speeches usually involve business development or transportation, not political truth-telling.

“I warned them I was gonna go ‘unplugged’ and I did,” Whitley said later Friday.

 

and from the man himself in the paper on the other side of the river

 

The Texas Legislature's budget cuts are still going to cost you

Quote

 

I ran for Tarrant County judge in 2006 on a platform of traditional conservative principles: local control, public safety and more personal freedom.

For the past 10 years, I have watched Austin undermine these conservative values. State leaders rail about local property taxes and blame local elected officials while they reduce the state's share of public education funding and force cities, counties and school districts to pay for unfunded mandates. In an effort to consolidate more control in the capital, state lawmakers are restricting local elected officials' ability to make local quality of life decisions.

 

 

 

When does it start raining and we can spend some of the billions in the Rainy Day Fund?

In fairness, renters also indirectly pay the property taxes of landlords through their rent. Your point stands though that the tax burden isn't equitably distributed across the income spectrum. Poor people who live in expensive areas are especially screwed by our reliance on local property taxes, as are children who live in "property poor" areas by way of getting a shitty education.


And I have no idea as to how property taxes work on government subsidized properties.
1 hour ago, cactusflinthead said:

Longview paper endorses Beto?!

 

Holy shit,  Longview?  That's amazing. 

15 minutes ago, shnsajax said:

 


And I have no idea as to how property taxes work on government subsidized properties.

 

What do you mean by government subsidized properties? If you mean government owned, there are no property taxes. The same goes for property owned by nonprofit organizations like churches.

That said, local jurisdictions in Texas, including school districts (very rarely), often give property tax abatements for economic development purposes on a case-by-case basis to promote job creation.

Edited by bolverk
clarification

22 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

Holy shit,  Longview?  That's amazing. 

It was a legit shock. Even Longview can't stand booger eating Cruz.

1 hour ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

That's true.

What a great song. I always try to explain that actual leftists hate liberals the way that real communists hate socialists (and liberals) and that song is the best example. 

Libs laughing uncomfortably and comrades howling approval. Love it.

Once I was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
learned all the old union hymns
ah, but I've grown older and wiser
and that's why I'm turning you in

So love me, love me, love me
I'm a liberal

Hillary_Clinton_Banks_Racism_Sexism_Wall

He mad.
 
So he's essentially admitting that Beto has a good chance at winning and that if he didn't, they'd be endorsing Cruz instead. Interesting admission.

Do newspaper endorsements even matter?

If every major newspaper in the state endorsed Beto, would hr gain O/U net 5k votes?

9 minutes ago, Bruh Man said:

Do newspaper endorsements even matter?

Of course not. No one reads the newspaper or likes journalists. Hillary got every damned journalist endorsement outside of The Daily Stormer.

It will change about 3 votes total lol

Do the olds trust their local newspaper more than the “national MSM”? That may cause some votes to shift to Beto

6 minutes ago, bad_teammate said:

Of course not. No one reads the newspaper or likes journalists. Hillary got every damned journalist endorsement outside of The Daily Stormer.

Hillary won the popular vote.

14 minutes ago, Bruh Man said:

Do newspaper endorsements even matter?

If every major newspaper in the state endorsed Beto, would hr gain O/U net 5k votes?

Big city ones? Nah. But if you've ever spent time with the "high society" of a smaller city like Longview, the good old boys (and girls) are usually pretty tight with folks on the newspaper editorial board. They're typically included within the local power structure and also act as movers and shakers to swing support for local initiatives.

I highly doubt it'd swing a conservative town like Longview into the blue column, but it might make a few people pause for a moment before voting for Cruz.

Do newspaper endorsements even matter?
If every major newspaper in the state endorsed Beto, would hr gain O/U net 5k votes?


Significantly over.
Big city ones? Nah. But if you've ever spent time with the "high society" of a smaller city like Longview, the good old boys (and girls) are usually pretty tight with folks on the newspaper editorial board. They're typically included within the local power structure and also act as movers and shakers to swing support for local initiatives.
I highly doubt it'd swing a conservative town like Longview into the blue column, but it might make a few people pause for a moment before voting for Cruz.


Big city ones matter as well, especially for the local races.
2 minutes ago, ERhine said:

 


Big city ones matter as well, especially for the local races.

 

Truth. I'm largely reliant on the Austin Chronicle's endorsements for many, if not most, local issues/candidates.

I guess Pod Save America (which is now also an HBO show on Friday's) recorded tonight in Austin and Beto made an appearance

44318113_10215155930945322_1828555667409

1 hour ago, Celery Man said:

I guess Pod Save America (which is now also an HBO show on Friday's) recorded tonight in Austin and Beto made an appearance

44318113_10215155930945322_1828555667409

Watching it now. Beto is fantastic. He’s got more energy than anyone I’ve seen, and is unbelievable. If he loses this race at least he gave every inch of his being for it. Great organization. Best I’ve seen since when Obama ran. A shame that there are just too many people that will believe the same tired talking points of fear and vote for someone like Ted Cruz just because he has an R by his name.

2 hours ago, bolverk said:

Big city ones? Nah. But if you've ever spent time with the "high society" of a smaller city like Longview, the good old boys (and girls) are usually pretty tight with folks on the newspaper editorial board. They're typically included within the local power structure and also act as movers and shakers to swing support for local initiatives.

I highly doubt it'd swing a conservative town like Longview into the blue column, but it might make a few people pause for a moment before voting for Cruz.

Yeah I think it means more in small/mid-sized towns where the olds still read the newspaper every morning at paw paw's diner. 

7 hours ago, shnsajax said:

Yeah, I have never understood that false belief especially when some areas are paying 3-3.5% property tax in Texas. The reason your property taxes are so high is because of the no state income tax, and the tax breaks given to businesses. I would rather pay a state income tax and reduce property taxes significantly and spread that cost across all workers vs just home owners. 

You do realize that property owners pass along their property taxes in the form of higher rents right? 

Therefore all workers are being taxed on the property in which they live.

5 hours ago, cactusflinthead said:

Longview paper endorses Beto?!

 

One of the comments on the article. 

Screen-Shot-2018-10-20-at-12-02-24-AM.pn

 

10390094_861408393872577_862554503606657

6 hours ago, Bruh Man said:

Another one...

Screen-Shot-2018-10-20-at-12-14-51-AM.pn

Really impressed this dude got the plural possessive right.

Really impressed this dude got the plural possessive right.
These people will eventually die off right? Maybe 20 years?
13 minutes ago, horncyclist said:
33 minutes ago, bolverk said:
Really impressed this dude got the plural possessive right.

These people will eventually die off right? Maybe 20 years?

Unfortunately they breed, and teach their offspring to believe as they do. The culture of fear will be around for much longer. 

16 hours ago, shnsajax said:

Yeah, I have never understood that false belief especially when some areas are paying 3-3.5% property tax in Texas. The reason your property taxes are so high is because of the no state income tax, and the tax breaks given to businesses. I would rather pay a state income tax and reduce property taxes significantly and spread that cost across all workers vs just home owners. 

Renters don't indirectly property tax? Score!

2 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Unfortunately they breed, and teach their offspring to believe as they do. The culture of fear will be around for much longer. 

550idiocracytree.jpg

10 hours ago, Bruh Man said:

One of the comments on the article. 

Screen-Shot-2018-10-20-at-12-02-24-AM.pn

 

 

I am shocked that someone named "Karleen" thinks this way.

14 hours ago, RPM said:

It's hard to make a funding argument when districts build mega stadiums for football. They have the money, they just spend it on shit they want, but don't need.

Its so strange how often we see this argument, about stadiums being built for football. I wish it was only for football, but alas our local stadium is still used by soccer, band, track and field, various community events like Relay for Life etc. It seems like a great talking point to say its built 'for football', but really falls apart when one actually gets involved in their local school district and sees all the events that use the stadium. You want to talk about single use, let's talk about baseball and softball stadiums. I really don't know of anything else using those.

14 hours ago, RPM said:

Which is where Robin Hood kinda had it right. How about we pool all the school funding and divide it equally per student? Each district gets a fair cut, every child gets an equal education.

Meh. That takes away a lot of local control. A district should still be able to provide more for its students if they want to. Ie.. if Lake Travis homeowners vote to tax themselves more than the base to do whatever they want, why shouldn't they be able to?

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