Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hate this day every year
Today I wrote my lease checks to the governmental entites for the property I am suppose to own! Would not have a problem paying these lease payments if I felt the money was being put to good use. Most of the money that goes to the city and county pays for salaries and overhead. See very little in the return of a service. As for the school district Twi-light Super and crew spend it on lawyer fees, cameras, and that GREAT BIG 'blackhole' in the name of education.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
PISD finance report
For those keeping score of your taxpayer dollars here is some information from the PISD. For the year ending August 31, 2008 the PISD took in $23,961,221 in total Revenue and spent $22,755,598 of your tax dollars. Let's put this math to work
Revenue $23,961,221
Expense <22,755,598>
Hoarded Taxpayer Funds $1,205,623
Twi-light Super and crew managed to STEAL from your pocketbook over $1 million dollars. Steal might be a strong word, so let's say that Twi-light Super and crew were able to transfer $1 million dollars of your hard earned cash and place it into the super savings account of the PISD called the Fund Balance.
The fund balance on September 1, 2007: $10,792,322
2008 TRANSFER due to poor business planning 1,205,598
Total Fund Balance (PISD Super Savings Account) $11,997,945
The PISD and Twi-light Super is now hoarding close to $12 million of your hard earned taxpayer funds. Wonder if some new turf is in the future of the PISD? How about another new building? PISD and Twi-light Super and crew have $12 million of your money and since it is in the fund balance they can do just about whatever they want without your approval.
Ponzi scheme in that they over estimate their budget in order to have excess funds at the end of the year and the excess funds get moved into the Super Savings Account called a fund balance. AKA - PISD Slush Fund! Folks this is not right in the least bit. It may be legal, but it is ethically wrong. Law should require the PISD and any other ISD to return the funds in the form of a reduced ad valorem tax rate.
Your State Rep Bryan Hughes and State Senator Kevin Eltiffe need to be contacted about such a Ponzi scheme in which you are being fleeced of your money. If the PISD adds a million a year to their fund balance they will be able to build whatever and buy whatever they want without voter approval. The law was never intended to be abused in this manner.
One other tidbit from the PISD report - the PISD spent $1,054,722 on School Leadership Expenses. Evidently the leadership was never trained in proper finance and budgeting techniques.
Then again maybe they were.......
Revenue $23,961,221
Expense <22,755,598>
Hoarded Taxpayer Funds $1,205,623
Twi-light Super and crew managed to STEAL from your pocketbook over $1 million dollars. Steal might be a strong word, so let's say that Twi-light Super and crew were able to transfer $1 million dollars of your hard earned cash and place it into the super savings account of the PISD called the Fund Balance.
The fund balance on September 1, 2007: $10,792,322
2008 TRANSFER due to poor business planning 1,205,598
Total Fund Balance (PISD Super Savings Account) $11,997,945
The PISD and Twi-light Super is now hoarding close to $12 million of your hard earned taxpayer funds. Wonder if some new turf is in the future of the PISD? How about another new building? PISD and Twi-light Super and crew have $12 million of your money and since it is in the fund balance they can do just about whatever they want without your approval.
Ponzi scheme in that they over estimate their budget in order to have excess funds at the end of the year and the excess funds get moved into the Super Savings Account called a fund balance. AKA - PISD Slush Fund! Folks this is not right in the least bit. It may be legal, but it is ethically wrong. Law should require the PISD and any other ISD to return the funds in the form of a reduced ad valorem tax rate.
Your State Rep Bryan Hughes and State Senator Kevin Eltiffe need to be contacted about such a Ponzi scheme in which you are being fleeced of your money. If the PISD adds a million a year to their fund balance they will be able to build whatever and buy whatever they want without voter approval. The law was never intended to be abused in this manner.
One other tidbit from the PISD report - the PISD spent $1,054,722 on School Leadership Expenses. Evidently the leadership was never trained in proper finance and budgeting techniques.
Then again maybe they were.......
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Geithner’s an issue
Here is a guy who was less than truthful about paying his US income taxes, and yet he is still being considered for a cabinet post. His cabinet post oversees the IRS of which he evaded paying his full share of income taxes. However, he took care of the problem when he was nominated for the cabinet post in the Obama administration. Have we sold our soul?
Regardless of what party is in office this guy should not be allowed to be considered for the post. Is this the message we want to send to the rest of the citizens of the US? We have enough folks trying to worm there way through the system. This guy has a moral obligation to withdraw his name from consideration for the sake of his own children if he has any. The message he sends is it is OK to break the law until you get a cabinet post nomination and then everything is alright if you pay up. If you get a speeding ticket and you don't show to face the judge then you will be arrested the next time you get a ticket.
Regardless of what party is in office this guy should not be allowed to be considered for the post. Is this the message we want to send to the rest of the citizens of the US? We have enough folks trying to worm there way through the system. This guy has a moral obligation to withdraw his name from consideration for the sake of his own children if he has any. The message he sends is it is OK to break the law until you get a cabinet post nomination and then everything is alright if you pay up. If you get a speeding ticket and you don't show to face the judge then you will be arrested the next time you get a ticket.
Monday, January 26, 2009
BHO and stmulus
This is a joke, right? Because it certainly is funny! This so called stimulus plan BHO is offering is NOT a stimulus plan it is a political spending plan. None of the millions of jobs he "thinks" he can create or save are even going to happen in this year. The "green" jobs he thinks "he" can create are in technologies that have yet to be perfected, or even proven to work. And how, pray tell, are the 600K jobs "he" is going to create in government going to offer any economic stimulus to our economy?
The ONLY way to get out of the financial mess we are in right now, is to manufacture our way out! And since we don't manufacture anything the rest of the world wants, it could be a long time before we see economic freedom again. Hell, we can't even feed ourselves anymore. Our farmers are consumed growing crops, that we stick into our fuel tanks at government subsidized prices. We now have to import such basics as tomatoes, oranges and wheat.
Before you go writing some pie in the sky article about how BHO is going to turn this dysfunctional country of ours, you maybe should find out how we got out of the last depression/recession. It wasn't by shuffling papers and selling credit default swaps, or refinancing mortgages. We sold other countries product, product that we now import.
I agree that corn subsidies for ethanol are completely ridiculous. And I buy local meats, milk, and vegetables from farmers every Saturday in my hometown in Virginia. Agriculture is one area where America should excel. The fact that we import so much food is insane! (I think that very reason is why Obama won Iowa).
I interpreted Obama's plans to be we can make our own cars here, grow our own food right here and we aren't even doing that. Americans making products for Americans. That could be a huge growth industry in itself. And our biggest import that used to be homegrown?
Energy. We can debate which technologies are proven and which aren't... but sitting on the sidelines and continuing to send a half trillion dollars overseas ever year for oil and then claiming their isn't a solution doesn't sound American to me. Last century, science and education were the cornerstones of American industry. We became a superpower.
Because frankly the government writing a blank check to the banks and institutions that got us in this mess in the first place disturbs me. I wrote this article to shine light on a program I hope could actually give us something tangible… new jobs. And doing what America does best – which is definitely not shuffling papers around but building and innovating.
Consider this: 2008 saw 2.3 Million mortgages slip into default or outright foreclosure. If we multiply that by the median home price from 2007 of $220k, we are facing a problem that exceeds $506 TRILLION!
The government sector has none of it's own working capital, it has to take from someone else (taxpayer) in order for it to "invest" in any economic initiative. That means that it has no real vested interest in seeing the initiative work. (Just look at how well our government managed Freddie and Fanny). In order for government to have a positive affect, it needs to just offer tax credits/rebates and incentives to the business sector, then get out of the way!!!
Oh, only one problem with the power of Obama, the market was down 300+ on the day he came to power.
The ONLY way to get out of the financial mess we are in right now, is to manufacture our way out! And since we don't manufacture anything the rest of the world wants, it could be a long time before we see economic freedom again. Hell, we can't even feed ourselves anymore. Our farmers are consumed growing crops, that we stick into our fuel tanks at government subsidized prices. We now have to import such basics as tomatoes, oranges and wheat.
Before you go writing some pie in the sky article about how BHO is going to turn this dysfunctional country of ours, you maybe should find out how we got out of the last depression/recession. It wasn't by shuffling papers and selling credit default swaps, or refinancing mortgages. We sold other countries product, product that we now import.
I agree that corn subsidies for ethanol are completely ridiculous. And I buy local meats, milk, and vegetables from farmers every Saturday in my hometown in Virginia. Agriculture is one area where America should excel. The fact that we import so much food is insane! (I think that very reason is why Obama won Iowa).
I interpreted Obama's plans to be we can make our own cars here, grow our own food right here and we aren't even doing that. Americans making products for Americans. That could be a huge growth industry in itself. And our biggest import that used to be homegrown?
Energy. We can debate which technologies are proven and which aren't... but sitting on the sidelines and continuing to send a half trillion dollars overseas ever year for oil and then claiming their isn't a solution doesn't sound American to me. Last century, science and education were the cornerstones of American industry. We became a superpower.
Because frankly the government writing a blank check to the banks and institutions that got us in this mess in the first place disturbs me. I wrote this article to shine light on a program I hope could actually give us something tangible… new jobs. And doing what America does best – which is definitely not shuffling papers around but building and innovating.
Consider this: 2008 saw 2.3 Million mortgages slip into default or outright foreclosure. If we multiply that by the median home price from 2007 of $220k, we are facing a problem that exceeds $506 TRILLION!
The government sector has none of it's own working capital, it has to take from someone else (taxpayer) in order for it to "invest" in any economic initiative. That means that it has no real vested interest in seeing the initiative work. (Just look at how well our government managed Freddie and Fanny). In order for government to have a positive affect, it needs to just offer tax credits/rebates and incentives to the business sector, then get out of the way!!!
Oh, only one problem with the power of Obama, the market was down 300+ on the day he came to power.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
ISD brick wall
Wolcott: Just How Much is Transparency Worth to Our Nation's Schools? Plenty
Peyton Wolcott, Local ContributorPublished: 01-15-09
Life can be pretty amazing if we let it.
A bunch of us — parents and taxpayers — had for several years filed public records requests in our school districts to learn more about their financial operations. With so much industry now offshore, in most counties in America public schools are the largest single budget and employer.
After a while we began running into a series of brick walls. For me, it was detainment in August 2006 by three armed school district police officers whose superintendent hadn't liked me taking pictures of misleading signage on his front door and main lobby wall.
The great thing about metaphorical brick walls is that they can have hidden doors. The trick is to find them.
For me, the hidden door was to start compiling a national roster of school districts posting their check registers online as a means of giving form, energy and substance to the barest beginnings of a grass-roots movement promoting transparency.
As a practical matter, back then, I couldn't get anyone else interested in online public school check registers.
Though there had been encouraging beginnings at the state level with Gov. Rick Perry's executive order calling for schools to spend at least 65 percent of their dollars in the classroom, it's still not the law. In addition, that the formula had been diluted such that an option for those failing to meet the mark — posting their check registers online — was not likely to be utilized by many. As of this week, only six have applied to the Texas Education Agency for their three Schools FIRST points.
Local superintendents, who privately supported my efforts, made it clear that that they viewed receiving public records requests as something akin to being attacked with a stick. Part of it was a fear of the unknown, that villagers would attack the administration building in the dead of night with pitchforks and lanterns.
The online check register movement, being completely voluntary, gave them an opportunity to do the right thing. You could say the carrot won over the stick.
To those first 30 Texas superintendents, and to Commissioner Robert Scott for putting TEA's [Texas Education Agency] checks online, I will always be grateful. Their willingness to venture into unknown territory has jumpstarted the nation's public school transparency movement.
In our tanking economy, with constant news about deficits and fraud in our schools, for them to remain strong, free and locally governed, they're going to have to streamline, and this starts a real dialogue.
Texas has 302 school districts (of 1,031) voluntarily posting check registers online, with a national total of 422 in 28 states, and more than $50 billion in annual transparency.
Pretty amazing, huh?
Wolcott, who lives in Horseshoe Bay, has compiled a comprehensive public school check register roster at http://peytonwolcott.com/.
Peyton Wolcott, Local ContributorPublished: 01-15-09
Life can be pretty amazing if we let it.
A bunch of us — parents and taxpayers — had for several years filed public records requests in our school districts to learn more about their financial operations. With so much industry now offshore, in most counties in America public schools are the largest single budget and employer.
After a while we began running into a series of brick walls. For me, it was detainment in August 2006 by three armed school district police officers whose superintendent hadn't liked me taking pictures of misleading signage on his front door and main lobby wall.
The great thing about metaphorical brick walls is that they can have hidden doors. The trick is to find them.
For me, the hidden door was to start compiling a national roster of school districts posting their check registers online as a means of giving form, energy and substance to the barest beginnings of a grass-roots movement promoting transparency.
As a practical matter, back then, I couldn't get anyone else interested in online public school check registers.
Though there had been encouraging beginnings at the state level with Gov. Rick Perry's executive order calling for schools to spend at least 65 percent of their dollars in the classroom, it's still not the law. In addition, that the formula had been diluted such that an option for those failing to meet the mark — posting their check registers online — was not likely to be utilized by many. As of this week, only six have applied to the Texas Education Agency for their three Schools FIRST points.
Local superintendents, who privately supported my efforts, made it clear that that they viewed receiving public records requests as something akin to being attacked with a stick. Part of it was a fear of the unknown, that villagers would attack the administration building in the dead of night with pitchforks and lanterns.
The online check register movement, being completely voluntary, gave them an opportunity to do the right thing. You could say the carrot won over the stick.
To those first 30 Texas superintendents, and to Commissioner Robert Scott for putting TEA's [Texas Education Agency] checks online, I will always be grateful. Their willingness to venture into unknown territory has jumpstarted the nation's public school transparency movement.
In our tanking economy, with constant news about deficits and fraud in our schools, for them to remain strong, free and locally governed, they're going to have to streamline, and this starts a real dialogue.
Texas has 302 school districts (of 1,031) voluntarily posting check registers online, with a national total of 422 in 28 states, and more than $50 billion in annual transparency.
Pretty amazing, huh?
Wolcott, who lives in Horseshoe Bay, has compiled a comprehensive public school check register roster at http://peytonwolcott.com/.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Giving it away
Giving what away? YOUR MONEY
They are giving your money away at all levels of government.
They are giving your money away at all levels of government.
- Times are tough, we’re all having to tighten our belts and make do with less. Well, unless you happen to be a member of the Texas House. On Thursday, in the House’s FIRST action of the Session, they boosted their own budgets. Under the new rules, legislators will get an extra $1,000 per month to run their offices. At the same time they raised the amount they can carry forward from $15,000 to $25,000. Only 11 state representatives voted against the increase, and your state representaive Bryan Hughes was not among the list voting NO.
- Park Director for your new county park that was not going to cost the taxpayers a penny - How much will the director be paid.“Up to $30,000,” Mr. Reynolds said. Also, you can add an additional $12,000 a year for retirement, insurance and other benefits for a grand total of $42,000. Don't forget the holidays off with pay and the paid vacation have a price tag as well. The county can't afford money for your public safety, but they can sure agree to hire a park director. Did anyone ever ask what the job duties of a park director will be? If so it was not reported at this link: http://www.thepittsburggazette.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=6759&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2126&hn=thepittsburggazette&he=.com
- The PISD gets in on the give away of your tax dollars as well - it will build a dual batting cage at the county park. Look for the PISD to have a line item in their budget next year for maintenance and upkeep of the county park.
Times are tough unless you have taxpayer funds to spend.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Write your state rep and senator in Austin
Empower Texans has a deal - write your letter, concerns, comments, etc. to your representatives and they will hand delivery for FREE your message. This is a great deal! Just use this link: http://www.empowertexans.com/node/768.
Write a letter to any member of the Texas Legislature and they will hand deliver it on plain paper to their Capitol office. When the letter is delivered, they will notify you by e-mail. They will not deliver a letter in all caps nor a letter with foul language. The best guideline is a letter you would like to receive personally! Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.
One cannot overestimate the power of constituent communications on elected officials. As they say in football, you never win the games you don’t play. Given the general apathy in the public towards governing issues, it’s no wonder we lose – we don’t show up!
Indeed, the most effective way to communicate with an elected official begins simply with communicating with the elected official. As U.S. Sen. Everett Dirksen pointed out, he only saw the light when he felt the heat – the heat of his constituents.
Very often lawmakers – even those who genuinely believe in our ideas – can be swayed simply by the argument that “your voters won’t care.” You and I can put the lie to that position simply be letting our elected officials know that we do, indeed, care deeply about the votes they take. Our communications remind them that we are watching.
Write a letter to any member of the Texas Legislature and they will hand deliver it on plain paper to their Capitol office. When the letter is delivered, they will notify you by e-mail. They will not deliver a letter in all caps nor a letter with foul language. The best guideline is a letter you would like to receive personally! Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.
One cannot overestimate the power of constituent communications on elected officials. As they say in football, you never win the games you don’t play. Given the general apathy in the public towards governing issues, it’s no wonder we lose – we don’t show up!
Indeed, the most effective way to communicate with an elected official begins simply with communicating with the elected official. As U.S. Sen. Everett Dirksen pointed out, he only saw the light when he felt the heat – the heat of his constituents.
Very often lawmakers – even those who genuinely believe in our ideas – can be swayed simply by the argument that “your voters won’t care.” You and I can put the lie to that position simply be letting our elected officials know that we do, indeed, care deeply about the votes they take. Our communications remind them that we are watching.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Obama day
Today will be all about Obama’s Inauguration and his plans for the economy. George W. Bush leaves office today with the Dow off 2,306 points from when he took over - one of the worst performances for any U.S. president. Sad thing is it all fell apart in the last six months of 2008, and after the Democrats achieved a majority in Congress. Therefore, Bush should not be forced to carry the complete burden for the financial meltdown. History and time will take care of this event!
Today we move forward with hope that Obama can 'walk his talk' for the sake of the minority and majority communities. Historically financial markets have done well when a Democratic President is in office and there is a Republican Congress. This time is different for the Democrats hold both the executive and legislative leadership.
All this comes amid the historic inauguration of incoming President Barack Obama, the first African-American president in the U.S. Washington, D.C., has braced for as many as 2 million visitors anxious to witness the inauguration ceremonies, and participate in the accompanying festivities. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm that has gripped the nation’s capital hasn’t found its way up the Turnpike to reach the financial district of New York.
I encourage you to pray for an Obama success. If he fails then the country will fail, and the minority community from which he hails will lose credibility within the bounds of the United States. However, if he can inspire the freeloaders that historically are from the community he carries the most weight to rise and seek something better then we will all be better off in the long run. If he chooses to support the promotional approach of giving it away with no price to pay then the whole of the US society may have no incentive to pursue success. History is not kind to previous leaders who rose from the grassroots and failed to achieve. All you have to do is ring up Jimmy Carter!
Today is a historic day for inauguration purposes. At noon today the curtain is pulled and the show begins. The inauguration and its history is over in a matter of minutes. Those that traveled to Washington, D.C. will party on; however, the real historic question remains. Will they still be participants with Obama over the next four years, and will they still be a part of the party come November 2012?
Today we move forward with hope that Obama can 'walk his talk' for the sake of the minority and majority communities. Historically financial markets have done well when a Democratic President is in office and there is a Republican Congress. This time is different for the Democrats hold both the executive and legislative leadership.
All this comes amid the historic inauguration of incoming President Barack Obama, the first African-American president in the U.S. Washington, D.C., has braced for as many as 2 million visitors anxious to witness the inauguration ceremonies, and participate in the accompanying festivities. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm that has gripped the nation’s capital hasn’t found its way up the Turnpike to reach the financial district of New York.
I encourage you to pray for an Obama success. If he fails then the country will fail, and the minority community from which he hails will lose credibility within the bounds of the United States. However, if he can inspire the freeloaders that historically are from the community he carries the most weight to rise and seek something better then we will all be better off in the long run. If he chooses to support the promotional approach of giving it away with no price to pay then the whole of the US society may have no incentive to pursue success. History is not kind to previous leaders who rose from the grassroots and failed to achieve. All you have to do is ring up Jimmy Carter!
Today is a historic day for inauguration purposes. At noon today the curtain is pulled and the show begins. The inauguration and its history is over in a matter of minutes. Those that traveled to Washington, D.C. will party on; however, the real historic question remains. Will they still be participants with Obama over the next four years, and will they still be a part of the party come November 2012?
Monday, January 19, 2009
Make your voice heard now: Your legislatvie priorities
What is the most important issue for you as we enter the new legislative session? Pick one of the choices below and vote in our online poll.
Lower property taxes
Spending cuts at the state level
Spending cuts at the local level
Education reform
School choice
Taxpayer-funded lobbying
Poll sponsered by AFP Texas.
Take time to visit their Web site, www.americansforprosperity.org/texas.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Labors of the people
Thomas Jefferson said it best:
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson
Get ready every tax receiving governmental organization is getting ready to invade your pocketbook to take care of someone other than yourself. You must rise up and fight to keep what you worked so hard to achieve.
"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson
Get ready every tax receiving governmental organization is getting ready to invade your pocketbook to take care of someone other than yourself. You must rise up and fight to keep what you worked so hard to achieve.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The welfare state
With all the money handouts by our fine government leaders and a new administration promising more 'piggy bank' bashing I found the following quotes and questions from Ropke interesting:
"The welfare state not only lacks automatic brakes and not only gathers impetus as it moves along, it also moves along a one-way street in which it is, to all intents and purposes, impossible or, at any rate, exceedingly difficult to turn back. What is more, this road undoubtedly leads to a situation where the center of gravity of society shifts upwards, away from genuine communities, small human, and warm, to the center of impersonal public administration and the impersonal mass organizations flanking it. This implies growing centralization of decision and responsibility and growing collectivization of the individual's welfare and design for life."
"What is the effect on production if individuals are relieved of the consequences of bad performance but at the same time also deprived of incentives for good performance, especially performance entailing some risk?"
"What happens to the birth rate, which in the past was limited, to some extent, by the fact that the individual remained responsible for his own family, whatever its size, whereas now he is relieved of that responsibility or even allowed to cash in on procreation?"
At the same time I keep waiting for that government helicopter to fly over my house and dump some of those recessionary fighting dollars into my yard so that I may payoff some of my personal debts from bad decisions I made a few years back.
"The welfare state not only lacks automatic brakes and not only gathers impetus as it moves along, it also moves along a one-way street in which it is, to all intents and purposes, impossible or, at any rate, exceedingly difficult to turn back. What is more, this road undoubtedly leads to a situation where the center of gravity of society shifts upwards, away from genuine communities, small human, and warm, to the center of impersonal public administration and the impersonal mass organizations flanking it. This implies growing centralization of decision and responsibility and growing collectivization of the individual's welfare and design for life."
"What is the effect on production if individuals are relieved of the consequences of bad performance but at the same time also deprived of incentives for good performance, especially performance entailing some risk?"
"What happens to the birth rate, which in the past was limited, to some extent, by the fact that the individual remained responsible for his own family, whatever its size, whereas now he is relieved of that responsibility or even allowed to cash in on procreation?"
At the same time I keep waiting for that government helicopter to fly over my house and dump some of those recessionary fighting dollars into my yard so that I may payoff some of my personal debts from bad decisions I made a few years back.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
They’re baaaaaaack!
Jan. 13 at noon today – the Texas legislature convenes for the 81st Session. 140 days every other year they are in regular session.
It’s important that you stay in touch with your legislators and let them know that you want significant property tax relief, spending cuts, and greater taxpayer protections. Already, more than 900 bills have been filed and we expect to see 6,000 filed before the end of session.
If you want to keep them out of your pocketbook you have to let them know of your desires. I can guarantee that the tax revenue generating operations will be out in full force asking and begging for the money in your pocketbook.
Let's shut off the "whine," let's get off our behinds, and let's do it in '09.
It’s important that you stay in touch with your legislators and let them know that you want significant property tax relief, spending cuts, and greater taxpayer protections. Already, more than 900 bills have been filed and we expect to see 6,000 filed before the end of session.
If you want to keep them out of your pocketbook you have to let them know of your desires. I can guarantee that the tax revenue generating operations will be out in full force asking and begging for the money in your pocketbook.
Let's shut off the "whine," let's get off our behinds, and let's do it in '09.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Your help is needed
http://americansforprosperity.org/010609-poll-important-issues-new-legislative-session
Click on the link above to participate in a ONE question poll being conducted by AFP. There are about seven choices and they are asking you to make the choice you believe to be the most important.
If you attack the local spending issue then I think you will attack the tax issues at the same time. Spending seems to be the real problem especially in the case of school districts.
Click on the link above to participate in a ONE question poll being conducted by AFP. There are about seven choices and they are asking you to make the choice you believe to be the most important.
If you attack the local spending issue then I think you will attack the tax issues at the same time. Spending seems to be the real problem especially in the case of school districts.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Texas Association of Counties is gearing up for the legislative session
The TAC is gearing up for the legislative session and they want counties to end up with more of your money in their pockets. Check out their site on tax caps.
http://www.county.org/taxcap/index.asp
http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/search/content/gen/ap/TX_Local_Lobbying.html
"Some of the largest Texas cities and counties will spend about $3 million in taxpayer dollars lobbying lawmakers when the Legislature convenes next month, records show."
http://www.county.org/taxcap/index.asp
http://www.marshallnewsmessenger.com/search/content/gen/ap/TX_Local_Lobbying.html
"Some of the largest Texas cities and counties will spend about $3 million in taxpayer dollars lobbying lawmakers when the Legislature convenes next month, records show."
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Cleburne ISD and the inflatable alligator
Inflatable Alligator and Under-the-Sea Waterslide – Texas ($367,000)
"A preliminary report by the Texas Education Agency, released this past April, found that $367,000 in federal funds were misspent by the Cleburne school district. Audit officials became suspicious when, "The district did not provide lesson plans or other documentation to show how rental of an inflatable alligator and an under-the-sea water slide supported reading instruction."27
27 Deller, Martha, "Report details Cleburne misuse of funds, criticizes officials," Fort Worth Star Telegram, April 23, 2008.
Folks this stuff is for real! ISD's just don't understand why folks are taking a look at their spending habits.
Can you trust them with your money? If so then look for an 'inflatable alligator' with flapping jaws eating away at your pocketbook. Guess we now know where Twi-light Super of the PISD got her training in money management. 'Inflatable Alligator University'! This must be a requirement to become a Super in Texas.
"A preliminary report by the Texas Education Agency, released this past April, found that $367,000 in federal funds were misspent by the Cleburne school district. Audit officials became suspicious when, "The district did not provide lesson plans or other documentation to show how rental of an inflatable alligator and an under-the-sea water slide supported reading instruction."27
27 Deller, Martha, "Report details Cleburne misuse of funds, criticizes officials," Fort Worth Star Telegram, April 23, 2008.
Folks this stuff is for real! ISD's just don't understand why folks are taking a look at their spending habits.
Can you trust them with your money? If so then look for an 'inflatable alligator' with flapping jaws eating away at your pocketbook. Guess we now know where Twi-light Super of the PISD got her training in money management. 'Inflatable Alligator University'! This must be a requirement to become a Super in Texas.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Uncontrollable Expenses
http://www.county.org/taxcap/documents/uncontrollablessection.pdf
The reason the Texas Association of Counties supports the issue of NO TAX CAP is a bunch of 'hogwash'. These incidents are not everyday happenings. The federal government has been handling these expenses as well. Don't buy this argument that counties need more tax revenue. They just need to manage what they get in better ways.
The reason the Texas Association of Counties supports the issue of NO TAX CAP is a bunch of 'hogwash'. These incidents are not everyday happenings. The federal government has been handling these expenses as well. Don't buy this argument that counties need more tax revenue. They just need to manage what they get in better ways.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Ever wonder about those boondoggles
How about an underwater LobsterCam and bike paths on levees that need to be repaired first.............
"Some examples merely border on the ridiculous, such as $188,000 in funding for the Lobster Institute, which exists to promote the lobster industry throughout Maine, in part by deploying an underwater LobsterCam. Likewise, one million dollars was given to Louisiana for the construction of a bike path along its levee system, even as the levees remain in need of additional repairs. "
.........and you thought the government was using your money wisely.
Check out this report on wasteful spending by a US Senator. This would make for some great late night comedy. If the late night writers go on strike again then Letterman and crew can turn to this report for some jokes.
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=9badb127-e02d-49b0-946d-a2bd8cb50eae
Bringing home the bacon......................................
"Some examples merely border on the ridiculous, such as $188,000 in funding for the Lobster Institute, which exists to promote the lobster industry throughout Maine, in part by deploying an underwater LobsterCam. Likewise, one million dollars was given to Louisiana for the construction of a bike path along its levee system, even as the levees remain in need of additional repairs. "
.........and you thought the government was using your money wisely.
Check out this report on wasteful spending by a US Senator. This would make for some great late night comedy. If the late night writers go on strike again then Letterman and crew can turn to this report for some jokes.
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=9badb127-e02d-49b0-946d-a2bd8cb50eae
Bringing home the bacon......................................
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Tax poem
Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table at which he’s fed.
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat.
Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries, tax his tears.
Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass.
Tax all he has, then let him knowYou won’t be done 'til he has no dough.
When he hollers, tax him more, Tax him 'til He’s good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he’s laid.
Put these words upon his tomb,‘Taxes drove me to my doom…’
When he’s gone, do not relax,
It’s time to apply the inheritance tax...
Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts anyway!
Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat.
Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries, tax his tears.
Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass.
Tax all he has, then let him knowYou won’t be done 'til he has no dough.
When he hollers, tax him more, Tax him 'til He’s good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he’s laid.
Put these words upon his tomb,‘Taxes drove me to my doom…’
When he’s gone, do not relax,
It’s time to apply the inheritance tax...
Friday, January 2, 2009
Fund the educational institution v. funding the child's education
Dilemma!
This actually is a property tax problem. See most governmental entities are not jumping on board the taxpayer ship with regards to creeping appraised values which generate more governmental tax revenue. It is not only about the tax rate you see, for the appraisal can do just as much if not more damage to your pocketbook.
Texans across the state are concerned about property taxes. They are concerned about creeping appraisal values as well as the use of taxpayer dollars by school, county, and municipal entities to lobby legislators. The legislature tried to rein in property taxes; however, school property tax rates across the state continue to climb. Local spending limits are needed to protect those previously granted property tax savings. Also, the legislation is needed to eliminate lobbying and advocacy work financed with taxpayer dollars and to prohibit tax dollars from being used to sue the state for more tax dollars.
Review what your local school district is spending on education expenses and overhead expenses at the Texas Education Agency's website. They provide a snapshot of every district in this state.
Don't let these governmental entities get the upper hand - FIGHT and lobby your own legislator for more control over your hard earned money.
This actually is a property tax problem. See most governmental entities are not jumping on board the taxpayer ship with regards to creeping appraised values which generate more governmental tax revenue. It is not only about the tax rate you see, for the appraisal can do just as much if not more damage to your pocketbook.
Texans across the state are concerned about property taxes. They are concerned about creeping appraisal values as well as the use of taxpayer dollars by school, county, and municipal entities to lobby legislators. The legislature tried to rein in property taxes; however, school property tax rates across the state continue to climb. Local spending limits are needed to protect those previously granted property tax savings. Also, the legislation is needed to eliminate lobbying and advocacy work financed with taxpayer dollars and to prohibit tax dollars from being used to sue the state for more tax dollars.
Review what your local school district is spending on education expenses and overhead expenses at the Texas Education Agency's website. They provide a snapshot of every district in this state.
Don't let these governmental entities get the upper hand - FIGHT and lobby your own legislator for more control over your hard earned money.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New year
Ringing in the New Year with resolutions in your pocket - My wish is for a joyful, debt free 2009 for all. Oops - guess we can forget the federal government. Wonder what resolutions they are cooking up for all of us who pay the bills?
Make sure to eat your 'black-eyed' peas on New Year's day, looks like we are going to need the luck they bring as we move into 2009.
Wishing all a prosperous Happy New Year.
Make sure to eat your 'black-eyed' peas on New Year's day, looks like we are going to need the luck they bring as we move into 2009.
Wishing all a prosperous Happy New Year.
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