Dem: If it quacks like a tax, it's a tax (updated)
Dallas Morning News
Robert T. Garrett/Reporter
All fees, surcharges and other revenue-raising measures would be classified officially as taxes under a state constitutional amendment proposed today by a veteran House Democrat.
Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, said his “honesty in taxation” measure would prevent politicians — if they peppered taxpayers with higher fees for things like driver’s licenses, hunting licenses and copies of birth certificates — from claiming they balanced Texas’ budget without raising taxes.
“The truth is, if you raise fees, you raise taxes,” said Raymond, vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee.