The state surplus has hit $8.2 billion, an amount so large that it could tempt lawmakers to forego a major tax overhaul as they begin a special session today focused on paying for school finance. After the announcement, Gov. Rick Perry continued to push his proposed business tax overhaul but suggested property tax cuts should be even larger than the one-third cuts he has been pitching.
There are few things more amusing, and more dangerous, than a government entity with too much money. This being an election year here in Texas, the entertainment value is even greater, because one of the candidates for Governor happens to be the state’s Comptroller (and “One Tough Grandma”), Carole Keeton Strayhorn. With the state enjoying an $8.2 billion surplus…well, let the fun begin, eh?
What I’m interested in is seeing how long it takes for the Republican candidates (and Strayhorn is still a Republican, though she’s running as an Independent) to go into full pander mode. I’m guessing that by this time tomorrow, the rhetoric will be red-hot as Strayhorn and Governor Goodhair hit the airwaves with dueling plans to give the Sheeple their money back.
Uh, wait…I’m going to have to take that back. It looks as if Perry and Strayhorn are already locking horns (nice UT analogy, eh?) over the states’ tax surplus. Perry seems to have had a “come to Jesus” moment, and he’s pushing the joys of a property tax cut. He’s been in office how long…and he’s only now realizing that proprty tax relief just might be a good thing? Jeez, next he’ll be telling us that Malted Milk balls cause cancer in lab rats.
Strayhorn, meanwhile, isn’t letting this golden opportunity to pander to the masses go by the wayside. After all, $8.2 billion is a lot of money, and when people do the math and realized what might end up in their pockets…well, who says you can’t buy votes in Texas?
Stay tuned, y’all, because we still have six-and-a-half months until Election Day. This argument- tax rebate vs. permanent property tax relief- ought to become an interesting once as Strayhorn and Perry devise new and different ways to pander to the sheeple of Texas. If you think about it, this is almost a “perfect storm”- two Republicans who really can’t stand one another, an $8.2 billion tax surplus, and an election campaign. How about we all just sit back and enjoy the carnage? I certainly will be.
