Speaking English Doesn't Make You An American

"Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since our government forcibly annexed it in 1898, over a hundred years ago. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. Puerto Rico has two official languages: Spanish and English. Thirty eight Puerto Ricans gave their lives in Iraq wearing the flag of the United States; fifteen did in Afghanistan. Most of them likely spoke Spanish as their native tongue. Something to keep in mind the next time you hear someone equating Americanness with speaking English."

State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth)

Cesar Chavez Freeway ?

Could there soon be a 10 mile stretch of freeway running through the heart of Fort Worth renamed in honor of human rights activist Cesar Chavez? That's what State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) would like to see. And he has once again shepherded a bill through the Texas House of Representatives that would do that. The House approved the bill last Thursday on a 131 to 13 vote.

Now the bill must pass the Texas Senate. Burnam got a similar bill approved in the House in the last legislative session (2011), but it died in the Senate. This year the bill has squeaked through the Senate Transportation Committee by a 5 to 4 vote. Now it is up to State Sen. Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) to round up enough votes in the Republican-dominated Senate to get the bill passed and sent on to the governor.

The Republicans have talked a lot about reaching out to the Hispanic community (the fastest-growing group of voters in the country, and a group the Republicans do very poorly with). If they were serious, this bill would be a very good start in Texas. Cesar Chavez is a hero in the Hispanic community, and deservedly so.

Unfortunately though, I think most of the GOP talk about reaching out to Hispanics is just that -- talk. The Texas GOP is among the most extreme-right-wing state parties in this country, and is controlled by a coalition of teabaggers and fundamentalists. That's going to make it very tough to get the Chavez bill through the Senate.

Will the bill pass and the freeway be renamed in honor of Cesar Chavez? I doubt it, but I hope I'm wrong. After all, stranger things have happened in the Texas legislature.

A Good Idea That Won't Happen - A Texas State Income Tax

The picture above is of State Representative Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth). Rep. Burnam is one of the most progressive legislators in Texas -- if not the most progressive. For several legislative sessions, he has fought for fairness and justice for all Texans -- and one of the issues he has fought for is a fairer tax system.

Currently, Texas has one of the most regressive tax systems of any state, relying mostly on a state sales tax, property taxes, and various licensing fees to fill the state coffers. This means the poor and most workers pay a significant percentage of their total income in taxes, while the rich (who can better afford to pay taxes) pay only a microscopic portion of their income in taxes. It's not fair, but it's what the Republicans want -- and they control all statewide offices and huge majorities in both houses of the legislature. And these Republicans think protecting the rich from taxation is much more important than tax fairness.

They demonstrated this in the last legislative session by drastically slashing education funds (even though Texas already had the lowest per pupil funding for schools of any state in the nation). They also slashed funds for programs that help the elderly, children, the poor, and cut services for other programs that help ordinary Texans. And what they couldn't cover by cutting services, they shoved on down the road to the next legislative session -- especially funds for Medicaid and education. When the next legislature meets in early 2013, they will face a budget shortfall of at least $17 billion -- and that could grow even larger.

Rep. Burnam thinks enough is enough. We must stop kicking our bills down the road and pay them -- and adequately fund education and other services needed by the citizens of Texas. And to do that he is once again proposing a state income tax. His proposal would only tax Texans making $100,000 a year or more. In the last session, Burnam proposed the tax for everyone making more than $1,000,000, so the $100,000 quoted in this article may be a misprint. But even if it's $100,000, that is less than 20% of the Texas population, meaning more than 80% of the state population would not be affected by Burnam's proposal.

Rep. Burnam says, "This is the fairest tax because right now the wealthiest 1 percent are not paying their fair share. That's why we're in this hole. The only way to finance the state's needs is a fair tax, and the income tax is the solution."

It won't happen of course. Just the thought of taxing the rich makes Republican legislators go screaming into the night. I doubt if Burnam's proposal will even make it out of committee. But it's still a good idea. It's time for the rich to start paying some taxes in Texas. They've had a free ride (on the back's of workers) for far too long.

Time To Eliminate Gas Production Tax Cut

Back in 1989 the Texas budget was in good shape, so the legislature acted to help the gas industry. In an effort to spur more gas drilling, they gave the gas industry huge tax cuts to develop the technology to drill for natural gas in places where it was much more difficult to get. And it worked. The technology was developed and there has been a huge increase in drilling in those areas (most notably the Barnett Shale).

Things are different now. Due to Republican mismanagement the state is mired in recession and faces a budget shortfall for the next biennium of about $27 billion. And there are some who think it's time for the tax cuts for the gas companies to end. The technology has been developed and is being used every day. Now that tax cut just goes to fattening the bank accounts of the giant gas producers.

State Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth) has introduced a bill to repeal these tax cuts. Burnam (pictured) says they are no longer needed and repealing them will put about $2.3 billion over the next biennium. That wouldn't fix the budget shortfall, but it would certainly be a good start. And amazingly, it looks like at least some Republicans are willing to at least consider the idea.

State Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is saying that "everything" is on the table. He's considering appointing a sub-committee to examine removing the unneeded tax cut.

I suspect the move to consider the tax removal is little more than a publicity gimmick by the Republicans. When their draconian budget cuts result in the lay-off of 100,000 teachers and tanks the Texas economy, they want to be able to say they considered all ideas and were "forced" to make the cuts. It's not true (much could be done to avert or minimize those budget cuts), but that is the story they'll be trying to sell to the citizens.

The tax should be repealed. It has served its purpose and is no longer needed. And Texas needs those companies to pay their share of taxes to help pull the state out of the mess the Republicans have put it in. But what should happen and what will happen are two different things.

Texas Republican leadership in Austin sold out to the corporate interests long ago, and their actions regularly favor corporations over citizens. It is very unlikely that this sensible bill will ever make it out of the legislature, and if by some miracle it did, Texas' corporate-owned governor would probably veto it.

This is a good bill and it would help the citizens of Texas. That's why the Republicans will kill it.

State Rep. Burnam Files Sensible Gun Bill

My favorite state legislator, Rep. Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth), has introduced a new bill in the legislature for consideration in the upcoming session (which starts in a couple of days).   The bill makes a lot of sense, but it will probably be opposed by a lot of Republicans because it concerns guns and the right to carry a concealed weapon -- even though it does not restrict that right in any legitimate way.

Current Texas law says a person wishing to carry a concealed weapon must have a permit.   But the law doesn't specify that the permit must be a Texas permit.   Because of this lack of specificity, some Texas residents have been going to other states to get a concealed-carry permit.   They do this because in Texas you must take a course on gun laws and safety (and pass a test), and then show at least a minimum level of proficiency with a firearm on a shooting range.

Neither the written nor shooting tests are difficult, and anyone with a modicum of intelligence and ability would have no trouble passing them and getting a concealed-carry permit.   But any requirement, even one as easy as the Texas requirement, is too much for some people.   So these people have been going to other states and getting their concealed-carry permit -- states that don't make a person pass a test or even show they can safely shoot a firearm.

Because of the way the current law was written, Texas must accept those permits.   Burnam's bill would not change the fairly easy requirements to get a Texas permit.   It would simply require that a person who lives in Texas would have to get their concealed-carry permit in Texas.   This makes imminent sense, because it would assure that Texans carrying concealed weapons know the state's gun laws and have demonstrated a certain level of firearm proficiency.   Out-of-state permits would still be honored for visitors from other states.

Persons going out-of-state to get their permits are also costing the state quite a bit of money in lost permit fees.   Burnam estimates the state is losing about $425,000 in fees every year -- a serious consideration for a state with a deficit as large as the one in Texas.

The bill has already garnered some Republican opposition.   Texas' gun-loving Republican Land Commissioner, Jerry Patterson (who got his own permit in Pennsylvania), is opposed to Burnam's bill.   Patterson says,   "When you start precluding recognition of licenses from other states, you have to be careful you don't have other states saying they won't recognize Texas licenses."   He says he's worried about state reciprocity.  

That's as stupid and disingenuous an argument as I've ever heard.   The bill has nothing to do with state reciprocity.   The licenses issued by other states to their citizens would still be honored.   It would just require those residing in Texas to have a license issued in Texas -- and there is established precedent for that.

Consider the issue of driver's licenses.   Texas honors the driver's licenses of visitors from other states, but requires all residents of Texas to have a license issued in Texas.   A Texas resident cannot go to another state to get a driver's license (because the written or driving test is easier or the license fee is lower).   And anyone who moves to Texas from another state has only a short time to get a Texas issued driver's license.

No one thinks the requirement for residents to have a Texas driver's license violates the reciprocity agreement between states, so why should a requirement for residents of Texas who want a concealed-carry permit to get their permit in Texas be considered a violation of reciprocity?   It wouldn't.   This is just another false argument thrown up by Republicans who really don't have a legitimate argument against the bill.

The fact is that Burnam's bill is a good one.   It doesn't restrict gun rights in any way.   It assures that those carrying concealed weapons have been taught the laws and demonstrated a level of firearm proficiency.   And it puts some more money in the state treasury.   The bill should be passed.

Burnam Tries A Sixth Time

The legislator pictured above is Texas State Representative Lon Burnam (D-Fort Worth).   He is one of the very few progressives in the Texas legislature -- even among the Democrats (where there are far too many Blue Dogs).   While Tarrant County seems to grow redder with each ensuing election, their one saving grace is that they keep returning Burnam to the state legislature.

Let me be honest here.   Rep. Burnam is by far my favorite legislator in Texas.   He's not ashamed of being a progressive.   He's also not afraid to stand alone against the powers that be in Austin, and he usually has to since his fellow Democrats offer him little support.  

Rep. Burnam has introduced a bill for the next session of the Texas legislature (to start in January of 2011).   Texas is looking at a budget shortfall of around $25 billion for the next biennium, and Burnam's bill would provide about $8 billion in new revenue for the biennium.   But don't hold your breath for the bill to pass.   This is the sixth time Burnam has introduced a version of it, and it has yet to get out of committee.

The bill would create an income tax for the state of Texas.   But it would not affect most Texans, because it would create a 3% to 6% tax only on income of those making over $150,000 a year (a figure that most people in this extremely low-paying state can only drem about).

But with the Republicans holding about two-thirds of the seats in the Texas House, it is once again doubtful that Burnam's bill can get out of committee.   The words "income tax" scares the hell out of Texas Republicans -- especially because it would affect the rich, and no Republican wants to tax the rich.  

Here in Texas, our bread-and-butter are regressive taxes which put a much heavier burden on the poor and working people instead of the rich -- like state sales tax.   There will be more taxes coming out of the legislature's next session, but it will be a broadening of the sales tax base and not a tax that would affect the rich (like an income tax).

Sometimes it seems like Burnam is tilting at windmills in a hopeless cause.   But as Clarence Darrow said,   "Lost causes are the only kind worth fighting for."   Every advancement made by mankind started with one person willing to stand alone against the powerful.   In the Texas legislature, that man is Lon Burnam.   Maybe someday the people of Texas will send him some help.

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.

Open Letter To Rep. Lon Burnam

A certain state-wide magazine recently made the ridiculous assertion that you were among the worst state legislators. What nonsense! I just want you to know that I consider you to be the best legislator I have seen in Austin in many years.

I can count on you to vote your beliefs (and mine), even if you are the only one to do so. You have shown me many times that your beliefs are more important to you that going along with the majority.

When those who want peace need a voice, you are always willing to step forward.

When the poor and downtrodden need representation, you are always there.

When the rich and powerful abuse their power, you are there to call them on their unethical behavior.

When a constituent needs help, you are there.

When a bad bill needs to be stopped, you are not afraid to stop it even if it makes powerful people unhappy.

You also opposed the dictator Craddick, even before it was fashionable to do so.

I live in one of the reddest areas of Texas, which means that I really don't have any representation in Austin. I consider you to be my representative, even though I don't live in your district. I hope I can do so for many years to come.

I am proud to say that this blog supports you, Rep. Burnam. Thank you for your service.