Texas is struggling to keep things in order. The budget shortfall for the state of Texas in the next two-year period is projected to be as high as $27 billion. The Republican-dominated government has stood firm on their pledge to refrain from any new taxes, and cutting programs or services doesn’t seem to be an option.
If the government does in fact begin to cut across the board, what will they cut from? Education accounts for 41 percent of the current budget, with health and human services following close behind at 32.
That’s almost three quarters of the 2010-2011 budget tied up in two extremely important services. According to Moak, Casey & Associates, a school finance-consulting firm, the draft budget assumes no new taxes and over the next two years will take 9.8 billion dollars from schools — and could potentially cost the jobs of 100,000 school district employees.
In addition to these atrocious cuts to the public schools, Medicaid is likely to take a large hit due to the budget crisis. According to Chris Tomlinson of the Associated Press, “Hospitals and doctors will likely absorb the 2.8 billion the state plans to cut from Medicaid programs. The state is also considering reducing what it pays doctors and hospitals to treat Medicaid patients by 10 percent.” These cuts are taking place in some of the most vital areas of state services, and there has to be a more reasonable way to start hacking away at the deficit.
Although one solution to this problem may seem like an outrageous idea, it is a common act. It’s called an income tax. Texas is one of seven states that does not have an income tax. While going as far as the 11 percent income tax in Hawaii is unnecessary and steep, a progressive income tax, where the rates grow as income grows, is a very reasonable option.
Granted, there should be a limit on how much someone pays. For example, if you make more than $100,000 per year, your rate would only increase as high as that first $100,000. While the income tax seems like a plausible solution, there is one drawback.
The Texas Constitution does not allow an income tax. In order for a state income tax to become a reality, a variety of votes must occur. Additionally, according to the constitution, “The legislature may provide for the taxation of income in a manner which is consistent with federal law.”
And if such taxes were to be put in place, after a certain length of time, according to Section 24 G. of the Texas constitution, “The remaining money after the dedication of money from the tax shall be used to support education.” Now, even though Texas doesn’t have an income tax, it is possible under the constitution. What’s more important? Saving your home state, or saving a small percent of money?
Yeah like the federal income tax was supposed to never exceded 7%. The answer is to cut social programs.
Hold on here. Isn't Texas the "perfect" state, run by all the "right" people. Fiscally conserevative. How could they get $27,000,000,000 in the hole? I'm sure this will all be fixed right up with a tax cut for the weathy that will drive spending and investment, right?
That's the far left wing liberal zealots solution to everything, "More taxes, more taxes, more taxes….my solution to everything, is less taxes, cut spending, cut the fat, get rid of nonessential programs…cut the budget, and then cut the spending some more…absolutely "starve" governments…make them 'do' with the tax payer money given. Raising taxes does nothing except give the spend addicts (mostly liberal Democrats) more money to waste.
You've got to be trolling. There's no way a college student (even the Republican leaning students) would actually believe that. Nice try riling everyone up though
No that is the way to solve the problem. If you don’t have the money then. Not more and more taxes. Just proof this student hasn’t lived in the real like some. Just take a look at the states that do. Many of them with income tax are either bankrupt or almost there. That should tell us something right there. We need to control spending not jack with taxes. Federal income taxes were supposed to be temporary but thanks to “progressives” we still have it because they got drunk on the amount of money that rolled in. Once it is here it will be next to impossible to get rid or it spend the left over wisely.
Citizens of this country no less this state have been on the dole from the gubment for far too long, and it's now catching up and there will have to be sacrifices but nobody wants in their back yard. No the medical field, not the education field, not the welfare recipient, no one. I would just as soon get my money back and pay for something directly than to give my money to any gubment and hope to get a benefit. I wouldn't get the benefit anyway.
Yes, "sheep skins before pig skins" and "books before balls"!!!
UH and other Tier-One-a-bes subsidize the sports program off tuition and state funds. It comes out to be something like $750 per UH student per year of tuition money goes directly to the athletic program. Moreover, the UH Administration considers athletics to be such a sacred cow that any discussion of programatic cuts ENDS once the athletic program is mentioned. Every student should be aware of this and be appropriately upset. Your tuition and tax dollars are being used to support what amounts a money loosing entertainment venture.
Texas has been cutting the budget for essential things for a very long time. If anyone believes that there is 27 Billion in fat that can be cut from our government there is something wrong with them. As the state population goes up and the cost of services goes up how can we continue to cut taxes or freeze taxes and maintain a balanced budget with no service cuts or cuts to essential programs? It is not possible. FYI for those that feel cutting social programs will work. Texas currently ranks dead last in its social spending. There are states with much smaller populations that spend more than us in actual dollars on social programs. I hope these cuts makes everyone realize that maybe we should be investing public wealth. It helps us in the long run.