Released on = April 27, 2006, 7:58 am

Press Release Author = AustinVoter.com

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = AustinVoter.com opposes the new Business Tax Plan proposed
by the Sharp commission. With and $8B surplus, Texas does not need new taxes.

Press Release Body = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/27/2006


AustinVoter.com (www.austinvoter.com) Opposes Sharp Tax Plan

AustinVoter.com opposes the new Business Tax Plan proposed by the Sharp commission.
With and $8B surplus, Texas does not need new taxes. This new business tax would
likely harm small business and the Texas economy as a whole.

Austin, Texas - 4/27/06

The $8B+ surplus allows the state to give needed property tax relief and deal with
this year\'s school finance issues without raising any more taxes. That surplus
belongs to the people and not the politicians. As such it should be returned to the
taxpayers in the form of property tax relief.

The surplus also gives the legislature more time to study the potential impact of
the new tax plan. In its current form, the Sharp plan might be a small business
killer. The tax is based on business revenue and NOT profit. As such small
businesses that are struggling to get off the ground will have to pay taxes even
though they are not making any profit. This additional tax burden could be the
additional expense that forces many a small business out of business.

A new tax and new tax revenue is more likely to be spent by the politicians and grow
government rather than reduce the overall tax burden of Texans. A simple reduction
in the property tax rate will not ensure lower taxes for Texas property owners.
Appraised values increase every year which erases any reduction in the actual taxes
paid. Without an appraisal cap, property taxes will continue to rise. Current
legislation does not protect that taxpayer or provide permanent property tax relief.
Without that assurance and with and $8B surplus it is unwise to enact a sweeping
new business tax.


For More Information Contact:

info@austinvoter.com
www.austinvoter.com


Web Site = http://www.austinvoter.com

Contact Details = Michael Allen