After 44 years in Austin, I’m moving back to Baton Rouge. On a trip home to visit old friends and find a place to live, I happened to read your coverage of Richard Nelson’s proposal to phase out the Louisiana state income tax.
The Texas legislature has been trying for years to move in the opposite direction, to find ways to reduce the burden on ordinary taxpayers. Unsuccessfully.
At present, personal real estate is appraised at full market value, business/commercial property at lower rates and Texas cities compete to offer the greatest tax incentives to prospective new businesses, transferring the tax burden to homeowners. This is why Texas is “business friendly.”
Under the “Robin Hood” plan, “property rich” school districts like Austin tax homeowners double what they need to operate and give the state half to redistribute to poorer districts. Literally.
I don’t think the average Louisiana resident would benefit from switching to the Texas system of taxation — quite the contrary.
If you’re looking to another state for ways the government can efficiently serve its people, I would be tempted to look at Arkansas. It’s not a rich state, but in my time there I’ve been impressed by how competently things like roads, libraries and parks are managed. They don’t throw money around like Texas.
DAVID CAMPBELL
Austin, Texas
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