Rep. Mike Krusee's Bill To Raise Taxes Passes The Senate

Rep. Mike Krusee's Tax (increase) amendment passes Senate, otherwise known as HB 1734. Now don't get me wrong here, this was a bipartisan effort in both houses to allow this to pass. This is another in a long history of bills passed in our state and around the country to raise the hotel/motel occupancy tax and use the money, "for the enhancement and upgrading of sports facilities and fields by certain municipalities".

House Bill 1734, authored by Rep Mike Krusee (R-Round Rock), passed the Senate with a unanimous vote. It raises the county population cap from 290,000 to 1 million and allows nine counties, including Collin County, to use the funding generated by the hotel occupancy tax towards sports facilities and events.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought all Republicans believed all taxes are evil? I guess only when raising taxes is for children's healthcare, schools, etc., but not when it's for "enhancing sports facilities"? Is that about right?

What the hell are all the Democrats doing voting for this though? We need to start drawing distinct contrasts between what we stand for and what Republicans stand for. Raising the occupancy tax has long been a favorite of all politicians. They feel it's a safe tax to raise because they are raising taxes on someone they are not accountable to, I know, there I go again. This is not a huge issue but it is an opportunity lost. This is an issue most taxpayers think is horrible. It is corporate/business welfare, not economic development, what do you say Cedar Park? We need to start piling up issues like this where the Republicans favor frivolous special interests like this over taking care of real problems.