Texas provides a model to the country
January 9, 2013 at 5:12 pm in News by Dustin Siggins 23 Comments
In Washington, there is a constant push-and-pull over how to best encourage national economic growth. In Texas, the principles of limited government and low taxes have provided a picture-perfect example of how good policy leads to good results.
On January 7, Texas comptroller Susan Combs released projections showing the state’s’ expected economic growth in 2012 and 2013 will total 23 percent. While this will slow to 4.4 percent in 2014-2015, it has provided Texas with revenue $8.8 billion above what she estimated in this year’s two-year budget cycle. It is enough to cover a $5.2 billion deficit in the current budget while leaving billions to put away into Texas’ rainy day fund.
Different news sources claim different reasons for the growth. Talmadge Heflin, Director of the free market think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation and a former chairman of the Texas House Committee on Appropriations told Tea Party Patriots in a phone call the keys to Texas’ success are in its commitment to limiting the size and scope of government.
“The reason the comptroller’s projections are so positive is the ‘Texas Model” of low taxes, no expansion of regulations, low spending, and continuing to implement tort reform. This method of economic recovery worked in 2003 as well, when the state cut regulations and spending. It increased the 2005 revenues tremendously. Unfortunately, the state then increased spending by almost 20%, which was part of why Texas was hit so hard in the Great Recession.
The expansion of fracking technology has helped a great deal. As it’s been allowed more, it has increased both employment and economic growth, which is why oil tax revenue has soared. The Texas business climate is extremely attractive to many industries, especially with no income tax.
I am optimistic that Governor Perry and the legislature learned their lesson after 2005, and will work to restock the rainy day fund instead of spending more. I hope Congress can learn from our example.”
In Washington, many claim raising taxes (especially on top earners) will increase tax revenue. However, an analysis of the last 60 years shows there is not a definitive correlation between higher taxes on the wealthy and more tax revenue. Texas is showing that the same is true for taxes on all taxpayers. It also shows the value of not overspending and providing an effective regulatory system.
Texas wants to succeed for the union I heard. If they do we should all move there and let the US fail.
Jerry, in order to avoid CONFUSING the readers of your post, I think you meant to say, ” Texas wants to SECEDE from the union, ” . . . . . .
Yep, thanks
Jerry, I’d prefer to stay where I’m living and have my state government follow the Texas model. Isn’t that a much better idea than your fantasy?
Fantasies can happen! We have a two term Marxist President named Obama. Both election weren’t even close.
Also, Texas is slowing become more and more Liberal. If it weren’t for redistricting it would happen even sooner. The Hispanics population is outgrowing the Whites.
Jerry, I lived in Round Rock, Texas for 2 years, and hated it. Between the heat and the broken infrastructure, I had enough and left the state. The people were great, but the low taxes comes at a price. Also, the cost of living is less but so is the pay on average. So it’s all relative…
However, I still have many friends in Texas, and they love it.
If they start their own country it might be worth it. Or better yet make each state be it’s own country. That way people could just move to a country (state) you like best. Want legal pot, move to that country. Want gay marriage…move there. The new countries could attract new residents by offering laws people like. You got bad laws people leave.No more time wasted arguing over laws and elections ….just move. Perhaps the Tea Party has enough ,members to take over 2 or 3 states and create a new country ….the Republic of Tea of America
Well, there are both ” good ” AND ” bad ” points, to EACH state becoming an INDEPENDENT country, . . . . One of the GOOD points, is, of course, each state would have the FREEDOM to write its OWN laws, & to GOVERN ITSELF ! ( which is, by the way, what the United States CIVIL War was about ; it was NOT fought over SLAVERY ! ).
Now, a BAD point is, as 48 SMALL countries, NONE of these ” small ” countries would be very capable of DEFENDING ITSELF against someone like, . . . . say, . . . . ADOLPH HITLER, . . . . or, . . . . JAPAN, . . . . or, the former U.S.S.R. ! WOW, folks, WHERE WOULD WE BE, in 1941, if the 48 states were ” independent,” at that time ? . . . . ( In 1941, neither Alaska nor HAWAII were yet to be given ” state ” status, so at THAT time, there were but 48 states ! ). So, hmmmmm, . . . . makes one THINK, doesn’t it ? . . . . . .
David,
Some good points.
However places like California and Texas are like the 15 or 20th largest economies in the world. If Canada can defend itself Texas can too.
Smaller states could merge into local Unions. ME, VT, NH, MA and CT could be the Liberal Federation. The Gulf Coast states could merge. In the end perhaps you only have 15 or 20 new countries. This would save a whole lot of fighting and blogging.
Texas is a state of mind….a very FREE mind! That’s why folks move here!
A transplanted NH Yankee
You don’t need seperate countries. The states should be able to do as they want as long as it is in line with the constitution. The federal government needs to but out. It’s called the 10th amendment.
That’s the problem, what does the Constitution mean? Does the 2nd amendment give you the right to all the guns you want of any kind or can government pick and choose which guns you get. States that want fewer guns can’t get that as part of the same county. You just drive over the state line to buy guns. With separate countries there is a customs border between them.
For those of you who wish to SECEDE,take a good look to the South of you and then go back and research the history of Texas and try to fiqure out the Economic and Security reasons they were so desparate to join the Union in the first place. You want out? Getr the hell out. There’s a lot of santa ana’s ancesters who would love to open anew drug cartel in your hood.No wonder texan schools are the worst in the country.Go ahead and seperate,do it for Texas and Miss Lilly! and me
Getting out might be best for everyone. Between New England and the West Coast Conservatives will never be a majority again in a nation with growing Hispanic population. They are the majority in parts of the South and the Great Plains
Bobby you have a lot to learn about Texas. Texas has 15th largest economies in the world. We have our own grid, lots of natural sustainable resources and petroleum resources. We are a leader in wind power. Texas stood on its own as a country for 10 years before becoming a state. At that time Texas struggled financially. When Texas first petitioned to join the Union it was refused. Big mistake on the part of the US. At that time the federal government could have negotiated for land as it did in other western states. When we were invited to join no such opportunity existed so the federal government owns very little land in Texas. Texas recovered quickly after the civil war largely due to the cattle drives which fed our country, followed by the discovery of oil at Spindle Top. We currently have problems with Mexican Drug cartels due largely to the Federal governments inability to address border control. Our schools have also been challenged with educating all children which includes a large population of children who are illegal immigrants or are the children of these immigrants. Our wages tend to be lower, but so is the cost of living here. Our housing market is more stable and our unemployment rate is lower than most other states.
Texas? Some model. They are a taker state. They receive more tax money than they produce. They are sucking the life out of the good people of America. And, well, Perry is dumb as a box of rocks. That can’t succeed so let them secede.
PutTheBeerDown, Not only is your response false its ignorant.
Texas receives lots of money from the Federal Government, and by the way, California is doing well, they just balanced their budget and are a breeding point for startups
Will Poundstone,
You site no sources for your claims about California balancing its budget. Here is a link for an article in the LA Times today. http://www.latimes.com/health/la-me-state-budget-20130111,0,1642840.story
To open, this article says Governor Brown announced the California budget is in the black. To close, this article says “It’s going to be very, very difficult for the governor to keep the horses in the barn,” said Senate Republican leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar). “He’s talking a good talk. It remains to be seen what he’ll deliver.”
I’m sure it won’t take long for the truth to surface. I’m betting California continues down its past five year economic toilet.
just wait, California will prosper, meanwhile the predicted oil glut shall bring hell to Texas
All states receive federal funds Texas sends more than it receives.
John Kennedy stated that lowering taxes builds economies. He got assassinated. Who else in politics is willing to make that sacrifice? Ted Kennedy didn´t and was knighted by the queen of England while being a Senator.
This is going very well. Let us turn to ending corporate welfare in Texas. No more billion dollar stadium temples for billionaires like Jerry Jones (Dallas) or Robert Mcnair (Houston). I am sick of standing in the rain waiting for my bus to go to work while the NASA Johnson Space Center spends $3.5 billion for a single mission to send a rover to Mars. I say shut down this expensive government operation with its thousands of overpaid legions of executives doing nothing but repeatedly spending billions of our tax dollars going into low orbit missions which add little to human knowledge or comfort. With the Afghan war ending why do we still need hundreds of cold war bases such as Ft. Hood or Ft. Sam Houston–CLOSE THEM DOWN and save our country’s future. The Tea Party can vote to end this waste of money on all fronts!!