Burnam Proposes Fairer Texas Taxes

To hear Republicans talk, a person might think Texas is a low-tax state. It's not true, but the Republicans like to say it anyway. They think they can get away with the spurious claim because Texas doesn't have an income tax, and to Republicans, taxing income is evil.

But while Texas is not a low-tax state, it is a state that loves regressive taxes. Texas has some of the highest consumption taxes and property taxes of any state in the union. These taxes hit the poor, working and middle classes the hardest, while giving the rich virtually a free ride. The taxes take a huge bite out of the income of those making less than $100,000, but comprise an insignificant portion of the income of the rich.

Of course, this is exactly what the Republicans want. They aren't interested in keeping taxes low -- except for their rich buddies. Here in Texas, Republicans have a long history of favoring corporations over citizens and the rich over regular folk.

But there is a legislator that would like to change all that, and make Texas taxes fairer for everyone. Representative Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) has proposed a progressive income tax for Texas. The tax would only be applicable to those who make over $100,000 a year.

Burnam says, "Not only do we have a tax system that is unfair on the working middle class, it doesn't generate enough funds for whatever we need to do. So, I filed this income tax bill that is selective. All it proposes to do is an income tax on income in excess of $100,000 and the thing is that most working people don't make that much."

He goes on to say, "It starts at a level that, yes, where you have double income households that have good professional jobs it is likely that you'll pay a little more of tax if you make more than $100,000. But you know what? Everybody can live on $100,000 a year and many of my constituents don't have enough to live on and they're paying a much higher percentage of their income in taxes than the people who make $100,000 a year. It is not fair, it is not right."

The best thing about the proposed tax is that it makes sense. It affects only those who can afford to pay, and would bring in enough money to allow cuts in the other regressive taxes. It other words, it would makes Texas taxes fairer for everyone.

But as good as this sounds, it has almost no chance of happening. The Republicans are still in charge of our state government, and as long as they are, the rich will not be made to pay any significant taxes. The proposal probably won't even make it to the floor for a vote.

Thank you anyway Rep. Burnam. You keep the dream of fair taxation alive in Texas.