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This week I will discuss the interim charges for the House Committee on Ways & Means. Interim charges are the issues that the Speaker asks committees to study during the time between regular legislative sessions in order to make recommendations for legislation for the following legislative session. The charges are good indicators of what legislation the legislature will take up during the next session. Legislators rely on public input when crafting legislation, and it is important that they hear from people during the interim.
House Committee on Ways & Means
• Evaluate the state's tax structure and determine its impact on the competitiveness of the Texas business climate. Specifically, determine the impact of the state's major taxes, including the sales tax and franchise tax, as well as tax exemptions, exclusions, and credits on economic growth, capital investment, and job creation in Texas. As part of this review, evaluate the franchise (margins) tax and determine whether the tax structure should continue to exist in its current form or in a revised form, or whether the existing tax structure should be repealed and replaced with a different business tax.
• Analyze the results of the reviews of appraisal district operations as conducted through the comptroller's Methods Assistance Program (MAP) and determine whether appraisal districts are applying uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes as required by the Texas Constitution.
• Evaluate whether current property tax notice requirements effectively serve the intended "truth-in-taxation" purpose of informing taxpayers about the property taxes.
• Analyze increases in Texas' overall state debt burden and the role debt plays in the state's fiscal management. Recommend strategies to reduce the state's debt, as well as the calculation of the constitutional debt limit. (Joint with the House Committee on Appropriations)
• Examine revenue derived from tobacco manufacturers, including differences between manufacturers that have and have not participated in the state's Comprehensive Settlement Agreement, and evaluate whether changes are needed to maximize revenue to the state.
The House Committee on Ways & Means can be reached at 512-463-0822. For more information on these charges or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us. My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.