05-C Tax System Reforms - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

O Harm municipal and regional economic development efforts, particularly those involving tax incentives. When a city engages in tax incentives for economic development reasons, it is frequently desirable to have county and school district partic- ipation in the incentives if possible. Because school district prep- erty taxes constitute the lion's share of most tax bills, failure to involve schools can doom a city-initiated economic development program. If the school property taxing function is moved to the state, but no provision is made for continuation of school partici- pation in economic development, statewide economic develop- ment will suffer. The legislature should continue current public school economic development authority, and look for proactive ways to work closely with cities and counties for economic devel- opment purposes. Can school finance reform occtw without harming dries? Y~, School finance reform can occur wilhout negatively impacting cities and their citizens if the legislation: Does not reduce city sales tax revenue; Does not affect the current authority of cities to generate property tax revenue; and Does not affect municipal economic development authority. Distribution of Property Tax Collections 1985 2002 $C ool FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT T/ Texas Municipal League 1821 Rutherford Lane, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78754 512-231 4400 (phone) T E X A S 512-231-7490(fax) MUNICIPA.L IW.~GUE www.tml.org Section 305.027, Government Code, requires legk~laUve advertising to disclose certain infmmation, A per- son who knowingly enters into a contract or other agreement to print, publish, or broadcast legislaUve advertising that does not contain the information required under that section commits aA offeflse that is a Class A misdemeanor. Mr. Sturzl represents the member cities of the Texas Municipal League. His address is 1821 Ruthel~ord Lane, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78754-5128. December 2003.