9% tax hike. Only home owners would get the hike and it's only for one year wink wink 

How about the state of Texas tap into its rainy day fund that is full of billions upon billions instead of giving us a tax hike? But now they refuse to use the rainy day fund on a rainy day disaster. What the freak is the fund for if not for that???? 

9% tax hike. Only home owners would get the hike and it's only for one year wink wink

Right. When was the last time you saw a tax go away. Taxes are the opiate of the politician. 

Mine went up $500 already. It's getting ridiculous now.

I saw on the news last night on a $225k home, it's like $115. The deal is people DO NOT need further punishment now, especially home owners. I'd rather see a tax on goods so everyone contributes. Not just homeowners who are the ones suffering the most. Renters were flooded out too. Everyone should contribute and a tax on goods would do that. 

Bad timing, but probably necessary given the effects of climate change, any forward thinking person would come to the same conclusion. The city, county and state needs more money. Maybe now is a good time to mention recreational marijuana legalization to our reps as an alternative to raising prop taxes. 

That's a pretty good post, Mark! 

The city, county and state needs more money.

Maybe they could stop spending money on stupid stuff. 

but probably necessary given the effects of climate change, any forward thinking person would come to the same conclusion.

Only if they have no knowledge of science. 

Maybe they could stop spending money on stupid stuff.

^^^^^^^This! 

For what they've spent on that stupid rail system (which merely replaced a couple of bus routes) they could have done a lot towards drainage upgrades all over the city. 

They have put monies to drainage since Ike.

Stupid stuff? Like the war on drugs? Specify bob 

They have put monies to drainage since Ike.

A drop in the bucket, so to speak. With the explosive growth in this area, upgrading an outdated and easily overwhelmed drainage system should be expense #1. It's not. 

Since Ike, there are over a million NEW residents to Houston. Some 50k are Katrina evacuees who stayed permanently. It makes me wonder how much NEW revenue that has produced?? I mean as much as we grow here, it's sad that we don't get a head, EVER, and no matter how much extra we get in property and consumer taxes, we keep getting our taxes raised continually. That's just sad. Bc had the city NOT continually raised the tax burden on homeowners, we would be much more even tempered when disasters strike and we actually have a good reason to need more money. Bc it's a legit issue. This city is in a shambles right now. They DO legitimately need more funds. But it's still true, the more they get, the more they spend and it does make one question spending habits and priorities. 

Wasn't there something on the ballots a few years back that passed and increased our taxes to fund drainage projects? 

it's only for one year wink wink?


Why don't you research before you post? Legally it is only allowed for a year so it will only be for a year. SMH and RME and LMFAO! 

Some 50k are Katrina evacuees who stayed permanently. It makes me wonder how much NEW revenue that has produced??



Jesus. Prejudiced much? 

Stupid stuff? Like the war on drugs? Specify bob

Mark, the subject is the COH, not federal drug programs. 

Some 50k are Katrina evacuees who stayed permanently. It makes me wonder how much NEW revenue that has produced??

She's talking about the million new residents, not specifically the 50K from Katrina. That was really very obvious. 

Why don't you research before you post? Legally it is only allowed for a year so it will only be for a year. SMH and RME and LMFAO!

The same way the toll rd was going to be free after it was paid for .. 

According to the Mayor, the vast majority of the costs of Harvey will be paid back to us via FEMA, except like 113 million which is the cost of extra needed sanitation and cleaning of all the debris from curbs from flooded homes. That what the tax increase is for. 

Mine went up $500 already. It's getting ridiculous now.

I saw on the news last night on a $225k home, it's like $115. The deal is people DO NOT need further punishment now, especially home owners. I'd rather see a tax on goods so everyone contributes. Not just homeowners who are the ones suffering the most. Renters were flooded out too. Everyone should contribute and a tax on goods would do that.?


1. Yours went up because your property value went up. City of Houston has actually lowered their tax rate during the last few years because property values were increasing and they have a revenue cap so the only way to achieve it is to lower the tax rate.

2. A consumption tax would probably hurt the homeowners who lost their homes much worse than a $115 tax. Just imagine how much money they are going to spend purchasing sheetrock and molding and cabinets and countertops and flooring and backsplashes..... I think you get the idea. They will be the ones paying the brunt of the consumption tax and it will amount to a lot more than $115 per flooded household. 

Since Ike, there are over a million NEW residents to Houston. Some 50k are Katrina evacuees who stayed permanently. It makes me wonder how much NEW revenue that has produced?? I mean as much as we grow here, it's sad that we don't get a head, EVER, and no matter how much extra we get in property and consumer taxes, we keep getting our taxes raised continually. That's just sad. Bc had the city NOT continually raised the tax burden on homeowners, we would be much more even tempered when disasters strike and we actually have a good reason to need more money. Bc it's a legit issue. This city is in a shambles right now. They DO legitimately need more funds. But it's still true, the more they get, the more they spend and it does make one question spending habits and priorities.?


The more people that there are the more services that are needed including major infrastructure. This requires more spending. This is a simple concept.

When was the last time you analyzed the city's budget in detail by fund? How about you do that then you come back and we'll have this conversation 

The same way the toll rd was going to be free after it was paid for



There is absolutely no comparison between a road's tolls and a temporary tax increase. Perhaps you should read up on the city's tax revenue structure as required by law. They will not be allowed to increase the rate beyond one year.

This article explains it quite nicely. 

How much did the city spend defending that ridiculous HERO?


Between 2017 and 2020, the city predicts a cumulative deficit of $484.6 million, according to a presentation to the city?s budget and fiscal affairs committee.

Stop spending money. 

"The more people that there are the more services that are needed including major infrastructure. This requires more spending. This is a simple concept."


Lol. So, with ALL that revenue from each new resident paying taxes, buying a house, cars, groceries and insurance, the city needs to spend every dime and MORE to expand "infrastructure?"

They're taking in more and more money. And they just adjust their spending to rise to the level of income. That's what most Americans do and why we are in such serious debt. Lmbo 

Right. When was the last time you saw a tax go away. Taxes are the opiate of the politician

Nice quote 

Lol. So, with ALL that revenue from each new resident paying taxes, buying a house, cars, groceries and insurance, the city needs to spend every dime and MORE to expand "infrastructure?"

They're taking in more and more money. And they just adjust their spending to rise to the level of income. That's what most Americans do and why we are in such serious debt. Lmbo?



Man o man you are clueless.

LMFAO 

"According to the Mayor, the vast majority of the costs of Harvey will be paid back to us via FEMA, except like 113 million which is the cost of extra needed sanitation and cleaning of all the debris from curbs from flooded homes. That what the tax increase is for. "


Yeah, and those are the very people paying property taxes out their noses for years, typically not collecting on any other type of emergency city services (at least en masse). How about a temporary sales tax increase? Then everyone does their part. 

How about a temporary sales tax increase? Then everyone does their part.?



Yes especially those who are spending all kinds of cash repairing their homes. Hit 'em where it hurts! 

Is there a tax that doesnt hit some one hard? 

Taxes are the opiate of the politician

Without taxes we would have no
*military
*Roads and Bridges (as we know them)
*A government (as intended by our founding fathers).
*Natural disaster relief (Houston)

Things we the people need.