A toll taxer marriage - made in heaven
Sen. Kirk Watson and Rep. Mike Krusee, have submitted companion bills, HB 3719 (Krusee) and SB 1688 (Watson), that would create a tax to subsidize a toll road, for people that live near toll road 130. Watson and Krusee have figured out a new way to make folks pay for toll roads - if you live near the toll road, and you don’t drive on it, you'll still pay!
The Watson and Krusee companion bills create a new taxing district that allows the City of Austin to charge sales and property taxes to people living within five miles of the 130 tollway, and regulate all development in the area, all while NOT PROVIDING ANY CITY SERVICES. In essence, these people will pay for the high cost of living in the city, and get none of the benefits (fire, police, EMS).
And get this--the governing board will consist entirely of city council members (all of them, for three years terms) and four appointees of the city council, only two of whom will have to be residents of the area. But the residents of the area won't get to vote for the residents on the board.
Taxation? YES. Regulation? YES. Electing Representatives? NO.
Even for Krusee and Watson, this brings screwing the taxpayers for their toll tax roads and managed lanes - to a whole new level. Watson and Krusee also continue to push for tolls on roads we’ve already paid for, such as toll lanes on Mopac.
Kirk Watson’s is scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate TODAY. Mike Krusee’s House Committee action is scheduled for tomorrow.
2 comments:
Here we go yet again!!! These turkeys have NO shame. So if you live within 5 miles of 130 and don't even use the road you STILL PAY??!!!! Gee thanks guys!!! I just LOVE having my wallet picked!!!
Austin Resident
I own raw land within this corridor, Watson and Krusee will never get votes from me and as many people that I can email and convince if this passes. Taxing without providing services is blatant theft.......
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