4-6-06
For the last 2 years Austin has not been able to agree on funding our Texas Schools! Just recently the Texas legislators announced that they are working on a bill to fund the Texas schools by placing a $1 tax per pack of cigarettes. I for one, think these legislators are so ill guided. I am not saying that smoking is good or healthy but enough is enough with beating on smokers! If we stay in that same vane of taxation, then instead of taxing cigarettes, let’s do a much more responsible thing - let’s put a $1 tax on each alcohol beverage served and a $1 tax per bottle or container of alcohol sold in Texas. The revenue, which would be staggering, could then be divided 50/50 with education for funding schools and law enforcement for enforcing the drinking and driving laws of Texas!! Just think about that... There are three to five times more people who drink alcohol then smoke in Texas, thus the revenue would easily fund not only the education system, but it would also help save lives from drunk drivers. The sad irony here is these legislators are afraid or too influenced by disturbing the alcohol industry and alcohol lobby!
Austin Politicians should be ashamed!
It is time to stand up and contact your state representatives RIGHT NOW to apply the pressure to do the right thing! Tax alcohol. It's a no brainer!!
Source: FundingTexasSchools.org