1 of 1- DollyLongstaff
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Who Needs Socialism?
As much as I think the government should provide assistance to Texas and Florida, it galls me that both Texas and Florida routinely brag about their lack of state income tax and the virtues of “small” government.
Texas politicians (and a sizeable fraction of the population) regularly talk shit about secession from the “nanny state” of federal government.
I know the hypocrisy of Cruz, et. al. voting against aid for Sandy victims and now insisting that was different has been pretty widely covered. But what you don’t hear much talk about is Why doesn’t Texas have an income tax that could fund emergency services and recovery through home grown oil millionaires and billionaires paying a fair share?
Likewise in Florida, where I have family and friends that I worried about and hope will be helped, Gov. Dick Scott made a big issue out of erasing every mention of climate change from Florida state documents, etc. , defunding emergency agencies and cutting first responder staffing.
Why doesn’t Florida have an income tax on all their banking, real estate and resort millionaires and billionaires? Wouldn’t that revenue be useful in hurricane planning, evacuation services, reconstruction, etc.?
A big part of me does want to say — Get Bent.
Last edited by DollyLongstaff (9/12/2017 9:28 am)
Back with a vengeance possums!
- petsterriers
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Re: Who Needs Socialism?
You make some excellent points Dolly. It does seem odd that these devastating storms hit hardest in Trump country, Tornados as well, and these are the people that don't believe in climate change. I know this is a generalization but still.....
- zeke
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Re: Who Needs Socialism?
Texas has the nation’s largest economic stabilization fund (ESF), commonly called a “rainy day fund.”
The state’s ESF balance at the close of fiscal 2016 was $9.7 billion. According to a recent study by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), that’s equivalent to about 18 percent of Texas’ annual general revenue expenditures, nearly three times more than a nationwide average of 6.5 percent among states with similar funds.
If the 2017 legislative session doesn’t tap the rainy day fund, it should contain about $10.3 billion by the end of fiscal 2017 and $11.9 billion at the end of fiscal 2019.
The Pew Charitable Trusts report that 46 states have some form of rainy day fund. Texas had the nation’s second-largest rainy day fund in fiscal 2015 and the largest in 2016.
The latest I understand is that the Texas Governor has elected not to use the "rainy day funds" to aid hurricane victims. They are depending on Federal funds and donations. WE THE TAXPAYERS FROM OTHER STATES WILL FOOT THE TOTAL BILL.
- Sam
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Re: Who Needs Socialism?
zeke wrote:
Texas has the nation’s largest economic stabilization fund (ESF), commonly called a “rainy day fund.”
The state’s ESF balance at the close of fiscal 2016 was $9.7 billion. According to a recent study by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), that’s equivalent to about 18 percent of Texas’ annual general revenue expenditures, nearly three times more than a nationwide average of 6.5 percent among states with similar funds.
If the 2017 legislative session doesn’t tap the rainy day fund, it should contain about $10.3 billion by the end of fiscal 2017 and $11.9 billion at the end of fiscal 2019.
The Pew Charitable Trusts report that 46 states have some form of rainy day fund. Texas had the nation’s second-largest rainy day fund in fiscal 2015 and the largest in 2016.
The latest I understand is that the Texas Governor has elected not to use the "rainy day funds" to aid hurricane victims. They are depending on Federal funds and donations. WE THE TAXPAYERS FROM OTHER STATES WILL FOOT THE TOTAL BILL.
Hypocrites.
