Here are some of the ideas on how to increase school funding. The fundamental question of how existing funding can be used more effectively seems never to be asked.
• Increase the motor fuel tax, which was originally set 25 years ago when vehicles were less fuel-efficient.
• Expand sales tax to property sales, management consulting, public relations, contract computer programming, market research, public opinion polling and outdoor display advertising, plus legal, accounting, auditing, architectural, engineering and financial services.
• Eliminate sales tax exemptions for high-cost natural gas, airplanes and motor boats.
• Charge an additional tax on cigarettes, soda and candy.
• Increase the alcoholic beverage tax by 50 percent.
• Charge a fee for hybrid cars.
• Tax all internet purchases.
• Reduce the 10 percent cap on how much one’s taxable home value could grow by over the previous year.
• Allow local communities like Austin to vote on whether to increase the sales tax charged locally, by a penny, for example, which would produce extra revenue for schools and allow districts to lower property tax rates.
The Texas Commission on Public School Finance, created by the Legislature last year, has for months been listening to input from district officials, state leaders and analysts. It is slated to issue recommendations by the end of the month.
All these brilliant ideas come from think tanks and school officials as well as by combing through Hegar’s latest annual report on the state’s tax exemptions in which he identified $60 billion worth of potential revenue.
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