Economic Issues Of Texas State Government

High quality education is a must in U.S. since it means that today's youth will be prepared with the knowledge needed to tackle our nations issues. When looking from state to state, you will notice how various states differ in how well they are able to educate students. Maryland was ranked number one in the nation by having a high grade point average amongst students and an equally high graduation rate. Texas on the other hand had the worst grade point average and graduation rate. The reason for this is the amount of funding that goes into public schools. Maryland puts a lot of funding into their public schools which helps raise grade point averages. Meanwhile Texas puts little funding into public schools and

In chapter 10 of Lone Star Tarnished, the author, Cal Jillson explores the development of the state of Texas’ tax policy. He explains that over about the last three decades there have been some major challenges develop involving the state tax revenue including the fact that it is dramatically declining. It is also mentioned that with the Texas Republican Party being the majority party in the state, with no change in site, having implemented the ideology of no new taxes, that any proposed solutions to adjust the state tax policy will probably be rejected. Jillson does however offer some solutions that could resolve some of the issues with the tax policy in the state if the Republican Party would implement them. These solutions include a constitutional reform to amend some of the tax laws in the state to institute a few new taxes such as corporate tax and raising some taxes such as the sales taxes by about half a cent. According to Jillson, these tax modifications could generate more than a billion dollars in revenue for the state, giving it a small sense of financial relief. Even though these proposed solutions could benefit the state, they are no likely to occur because of the low to no tax perception that both Texas government and citizens

In my analysis of the Texas Constitution I will assess the three branches of our State Government, the Legislative Branch, Executive Branch and finally the Judicial Branch. Our State Government resembles our National Government in various ways but also in very different ways which we will review in this essay. I will identify a handful of criticisms and problems associated with the provisions in each of these branches of our State Government and identify suggested reforms that many feel are needed.

Notice that Texas State does not have state income tax? It is because their revenues are coming from other tax categories like sales tax and property tax. “When the state increases its reliance on sales taxes to offset the holes punched into the budget by corporate, this increases the overall tax burden on the poor and the working-class”(Dollars and Sense 12). Compared to other states like that of California which implements progressive tax system (collects more revenues from state income tax), Texas does not levy on state income tax. “The lack of an income tax means that the Tennessee State government relies to a large degree on sales taxes to raise revenues”(Dollars and Sense 12). Texas, like Tennessee, belongs to regressive tax states but Texas gets more of its revenue through property tax rather than sales tax.

The major changes in Texas economy brought different waves of technological changes by exemplifying the theory of creative destruction through cotton and cattle, by growing out old industries, and by having a high tech digital economy. The developments started to occur in Texas’s economy through urbanization which helped change the state’s economy from an agriculture power house to a high tech and innovative economy. The signing of NAFTA affected the political economy of the state by allowing a free trade zone. These are major changes that have taken place in the Texas economy throughout the years.

Since I was a child, I was aware of the discrimination against minorities. Growing up with a full-blooded Mexican father and an all American mother, I experienced early on prejudice and racism. Trying to do the simplest daily tasks like ordering at restaurants or shopping for clothes would turn into an everyday challenge for my father and I, employees would often misunderstand his broken English and turn to me for help, sometimes cussing out discriminatory names. Due to this, I can see blatant white privilege not just against hispanics but many other ethnicities and races as well. So when I heard about the DACA I knew I had to learn more.

As the largest state by area in the continental U.S. as the second most populous, Texas has its significant share of public policy challenges with which to contend. And as the discussion hereafter will show, many of these challenges serve as a microcosm of the broader pubic policy issues facing the United States. The issues addressed here below help to provide a better understanding of the complexities of public policy maintenance in a large and diverse state.

Our government here in Texas has three major parts that play a significant part in our decision making process. These levels

In today’s society with so many disagreements between the state and federal government going on the thought crosses some Texans minds about secession. The movement, headed by the Texas Nationalist Movement and the Tea Party, is seeking to remove the state from the union and institute Texas as a new country. Many questions arise over the topic of secession covering topics such as economy, currency, population, and if Texas would be helped or hurt by leaving the United States federal government behind. It has been shown that Texas has a much larger population than many countries as well as gold to back a currency should it decide to create one. The Texas economy is extremely strong with a mass of exports and natural resources being gathered in the state. These natural resources tied with other products made in Texas give the state one of the strongest economies in the world. Even with all this knowledge the question over secession still persists.

The Texas Constitution was amended in 1993, during Governor William P. Clements’ second administration, to prohibit a state income tax. Therefore, any such proposal would have serious difficulties passing both chambers of the legislature and then it would be subject to ratification through a statewide referendum. Texas’ lack of a state income tax seems to have enhanced its economy vitality with this approach. It also lacks a corporate income tax, which is not prohibited by the Constitution. Texas is one of seven

Texas Legislature met for the 85th time last spring since statehood. The Texas Legislature passed several laws from State budget, protecting children, schools, sanctuary cities, and many more, at the same time some laws where not passed.

Federalism has evolved throughout American history. At different points in time, the balance and boundaries between the national and state government have changed substantially (resulting in the dual federalism, cooperative federalism etc.). Dual federalism which can also be referred to as divided sovereignty draws a clear distinction between federal and state governments, with the state government exercising the powers given to them without the influence of the federal government. It can further be supported by the Tenth Amendment which states, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States, respectively, or to the people.” Cooperative Federalism is defined as the cooperative functioning of the state, national and local governments. The American ensemble functions according to the New Dual Cooperative Federalism.

Texas does outperform other states in terms of economic growth and population growth. Many people move to Texas because of the jobs and they do taxes right. (Batheja, 2013) Gov. Rick Perry believes Texas’s performance through the recession is due to lack of income tax. He says “You can stop trying to figure out how to pay the state income tax, because we don’t have one.” (Batheja, 2013) The Tax Foundation, a conservative-leaning research group, ranks Texas ninth-best on its State Business Tax Climate Index, largely because of the state’s lack of an income tax. (Batheja, 2013) On the other hand, Texas’s high property taxes remains a crucial complaint among business and homeowners. It’s harder for small business to pay their taxes especially if their business wasn’t very profitable. Small business end up using their own personal savings, mortgages, or borrow money in order to pay their taxes. Having a state tax would benefit small business. Although having no state tax is accepted by many, it puts a dent on cities and towns. Local debt has increased over the past decade, in large part to cover the costs for new schools and public maintenance projects. (Batheja, 2013) The state is pushing projects such as building of highways and roads to cities and counties. (Batheja, 2013) In 2012, more than 500 lawsuits were from school districts arguing that our public education isn’t properly

In states without state income tax, higher sales, property and other assorted taxes can exceed the annual cost of a state income tax. Texas is one of seven states that do not levy an individual income tax. The Tax Foundation, a conservative-leaning research group, ranks Texas ninth-best on its State Business Tax Climate Index, largely because of the state’s lack of an income tax. On three of the foundation’s other major rankings — property taxes, sales taxes and corporate taxes — Texas ranks in the bottom 20 states. Texas does not have a statewide property tax, but local property taxes remain a crucial complaint among businesses and homeowners. (Terrence, 2002) The main benefit is that states with no income tax become a beacon for growth. They 're better at creating jobs and keeping a core of young, educated workers from moving to other states. The issue is undoubtedly controversial. Public opinion usually swings with the size of one 's paycheck and the role people think governments should play in shaping society. Texas has an above-average sales taxes, and Texas also has higher-than-average effective property tax rates. Cutting the income tax will boost take-home pay for everyone. It 'll make the state more attractive than its neighbors, creating jobs, drawing new businesses, and sparking an influx of talented workers.

Texas has a reputation throughout history of differing views from the federal government in laws and politics pertaining to social, fiscal, and educational issues. On the whole, Texas operates as a largely conservative state. Because of this, policy-making is often right wing. With the institution of a Democratic, liberal president, the State’s dissent from the Federal government has only increased over certain issues. One hot topic of the 2012 Presidential election was immigration. With the major increase in immigration, it is no surprise that the issue was so emphasized. Between 2000 and 2011 there was a 30 percent