State Representative Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo) has announced he will introduce a constitutional amendment that establishes honesty in taxation and classifies fees, surcharges and other revenue-generating measures as taxes.
“Two weeks ago I met with staff members of the Legislative Council and directed them to draft the appropriate bill establishing once and for all what all hardworking Texans already know – that a fee is a tax – period,” said Rep. Raymond. “I will introduce this legislation so that we can take it up and, I believe, pass it, during the upcoming legislative session.”
Rep. Raymond, who is Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said that for too long elected officials in Texas, Washington and governments throughout the country have passed taxes by calling them fees, surcharges, assessment and even penalties.
“It is time we make it harder for politicians to hide the truth from the people, and the truth is, if you raise fees, you raise taxes. We need to make sure all taxes are out in the open, so Texans know when their taxes are being raised,” Rep. Raymond said.
By Ray Gomez
Pro8 News
Raymond worked on a recently passed bill that will attract 900 new doctors to Texas over the next four years through a physician loan repayment program.
