For those that live in Texas and pay taxes or have kids in school.

Last year, Perry and company said they increased spending on education.
This is partially true, and long term it is going down, down, down.

1) Perry Cut property taxes in Texas - YEA!!! Since this caused massive shortages for the schools, because they are funded by property taxes, the State of Texas, increased education spending to make up the difference. Around $12 billion.

So even though the schools are receiving the exact same amount of funding, Perry sold it as a $12 billion increase in school funding.

2) Because Texas cut property taxes they are facing massive shortages. So, I have heard but not confirmed, that they ordered home apprasiers/tax assessors to start bumping up home values to make up the difference.
In San Antonio, people are seeing LARGE jumps in valuation.

So, if they cut property taxes only to artifically jack up all the property values, it was all basically a scam.

3) As property values rise, the schools receive more money. A state average is around $1.04 per $100 value.
So as property values go up, school funding should go up. WAY TO GO RICK!!!

BUT....

The State laws included language that says "As property values rise and schools receive more money, the State will reduce its contribution $1 for $1.

So basically what is happening is that the State of Texas is slowly shifting the entire burden of Public Education to the School districts and local property owners.

Just remember, as you see your property values rise and you think to your self "At least the money is going to the schools"

NAY. The more property values rise, the more you are witnesses the shift from State funding education, to local funding.

Its basically reverting back to before "robin hood". (some people see nothing wrong with some schools receiving $1000 per child while others receive $18,000 per child.)

4) Lastly, it is TAKS testing week in Texas. Wish your kids luck and help reduce stress.


Ixtellor

P.S. If anyone would like to comment on their own States school funding system, more power to you. I find it interesting.

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George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

BRING IT ON........................ and thanks for being honest Our Folks in Pa are doing the exact opposite, looking to relieve the homeowner of some of the school taxes

The school funding issue is always a hot topic in Maine. 90% of my property taxes fund the school. The rapidly increasing home values on waterfront/view property has forced longtime residents to sell their homes to wealthy seasonal residents. Of course, that is a good news/bad news scenario. It is sad to see towns become empty at the end of Sept. Legislators talk about changing the school funding formula. ...so far, it is just talk. The states are strapped for funds in every department so there is little hope that relief on property taxes will be coming anytime soon. I would like to see the state rely somewhat less on property taxes to fund schools.

I also think that the issue of "special education" should be revisited. A large chunk of school funding is spent on special programs for kids with behavioral problems (not just learning difficulties) Taxpayers are spending wasted dollars providing these kids with classroom babysitters. What is the "special education" situation in San Antonio? Are property values and therefore property taxes likely to go down in S.A.?

Whenever, I hear the term "tax cut", I suspect it is a "tax shift".

Illinois is a huge mess. Blago the governor is mandated by the State Constitution to fund schools at 51% of the state budget. We are currently getting about 31% only and the smaller schools are consistently having to cut positions, college prep class or athletics. Our school did away with hot lunch and all Junior HS sports. The community is not allowing any property tax increases and it looks our schools have about 5 years left until we have to merge with another district.

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Liberals believe it is okay to kill babies, but not terrorists.

democrats believe it is okay to taser a 10 year old if this stance will get their guy elected.

................figure it out, I am going shopping

I hope you come home with some cents.

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Liberals believe it is okay to kill babies, but not terrorists.

democrats believe it is okay to taser a 10 year old if this stance will get their guy elected.

Mass has been like that for decades. State funding for schools is little and mostly to poor and failing areas. The school system is and has been exclusively funded by property taxes for ages. Which is why we pay anywhere from $1.15 to $2 per $100 in value.

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All you need to know about the energy crisis:
ANWR Exploration Republicans: 91% Supported. Democrats: 86% Opposed.
Coal-to-liquid R's: 90% YES. D's: 78% NO.
Oil Shale Exploration R's: 90% YES. D's: 86% NO.
Outer Continental Shelf Exploration R's: 81% YES. D's: 83% NO.
Increased Refinery Capacity R's: 97% YES. D's: 96% NO

SUMMARY: 91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of America’s own oil and gas. 86% of House Democrats have historically voted against.

Do any of you know what will happen to property taxes and school funding as home values decline? Are your homes currently appraised at full value for tax purposes? Do you have a problem with an increasing special ed budget in your area? Would you prefer that the funding formula increase state income taxes and decrease the burden on property taxes?
Ixtellor, isn't it the case that Texas has no state income tax? What is the primary revenue source?

"So, I have heard but not confirmed, that they ordered home apprasiers/tax assessors to start bumping up home values to make up the difference." Istellor

Always best not to start unconfirmed rumors. Next think we know some liberal media outlet will be picking it up as FACT. Once you get some "confirmation" on your rumor, get back to us.

On a percentage basis, my appraisal has not changed all that much for the 9 years I've been in my home. Could be a different story on the next bill, but I doubt it. Anybody else from Texas have a huge increase in their tax appraisal in the last couple of years?

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Clintonite after Clintonite. My question is, "So when does this so-called CHANGE start?"

Ok did some research.

The "they" in my scenario is Local governments.
According to Perry's own website, local governments are engaged in what is called "appraisal creep"
State averages have been above 5% every year. I can't find the most recent data since, Perry cut the property tax rates, but will look more when I have time.

The big cities are seeing their tax value double every seven years.

The Texas house attempted to stop this by imposing a cap of 5% increases per year. It passed the house unanamously, but then was defeated in the Senate. I can't find the names, but 25 Senators came forward and opposed the Bill.

So regardless of who is responsible, there is an effort being made to increase property values to make up for the cut in State rates.

If you follow texas politics closely you will also find that every attempt to make the value of sales public, has been defeated every time. So we still rely soley on the "expertice" of the home appraisers.

Zoe,

The primary source of Texas revenue is property taxes and Sales taxes.
In San Antonio, our current sales tax rate is 8.125%.

Ixtellor

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_______________________________________
George W. Bush "I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building"

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.