Turner Praises and Challenges Perry

by: Todd Hill

Tue Jan 27, 2009 at 01:55 PM CST

Democratic State Representative Chris Turner (HD 96) struck a nice balance of praise for what Perry did mention coupled with issuing challenges for what Perry neglected:

"I support Governor Perry's initiative to add additional border security to combat gang violence and drug trafficking, and agree with him that we should exempt more small businesses from the margins tax by raising the exemption to $1 million.

"However, I was disappointed that at a time when middle class families are struggling in this difficult economic climate, the Governor said nothing about the need to rein in high utility and insurance rates which unfairly hurt families and businesses.  I was also surprised and disappointed that the Governor failed to mention the need to revamp our current school funding scheme, which has put many school districts in a financial crisis and is hurting the quality of instruction for Texas school children.  I am hopeful that the Legislature, working on a bipartisan basis, will address these issues in the weeks ahead."

Turner made excellent observations from today's speech.  Small business owners in Texas can not be expected to carry the weight of a business income tax in this type of economic recession.  We'll see far more businesses shut down and more Texans out of work if the margin tax stays as is.  A sensible increase in the exemption will help; however, the margin tax was created as an additional taxation system to help alleviate the burden of property taxes and assist with education funding.  That's unfair to small business owners to say the least, but what alternatives can the legislature propose?

Turner's second observation regarding public education was also good.  Perry made no substantial mention of public education solutions to address a growing problem for our state.  The health of Texas, and her economy, rests on our ability to properly educate a new generation of suppliers and demanders.    

I'm not hearing solutions to the problem of shutting down revenue streams and I'm not hearing ways to open new ones' either.  And I for one am sick and tired of ratcheting up debt.  Expenditures are going to have to be reined in, wasteful spending cut, and revenue maintained, if not increased, in order for us to strike a balance in pleasing all factions and interest groups while tackling the issues that real Texans are concerned about.  If everyday Texans have to tighten their family budgets so too must Austin because our ability to find additional revenue is few and far between.

Here is hoping for some profiles in courage to develop this legislative session.  Looks like we might have one in Chris Turner.