Op-ed: Lots of reasons not to replace property taxes with higher sales taxes

[TexasTowelie]

I wrote a few weeks back about talk of possible changes ahead for the state and local sales tax in Texas, and now I’ve been reminded of a 2012 study that details how difficult one of those changes would be.

It’s an idea that has surfaced in the race for state comptroller. The Republican nominee, state Sen. Glenn Hegar from Katy, has suggested that the state abolish the $40 billion a year brought in by local property taxes and replace that revenue by revising and increasing the sales tax.

Hegar hasn’t raised the idea much since he touted it at a January Tea Party rally in Longview. His campaign office has said any such change would be years away.

Still, it’s an idea that has been popular in some circles in Austin for several years. Some people believe taxing the goods and services you consume is philosophically better than taxing what you own.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/05/01/5785393/lots-of-reasons-not-to-replace.html#storylink=cpy

[TexasProgresive]

1. One other thing

sales tax is regressive - tends to put greater burden on the poor who must spend most all of their income to make it through the day. Property tax does tend to get greater revenue from the rich as they own pricier properties.