Conroe Underground

Texas Task "Farce" on Tax Appraisal Caps To Meet Soon

2006-09-07T18:35:00.000-05:00

As far as I'm concerned, this Texas Task Farce on Tax Appraisals is a "come to Jesus" moment for Governor Rick Perry. Their first farce meeting is on Friday, and it can be said that volumes can be spoken about who is not on Governor Perry's commission.

Obviously Paul Bettencourt, Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, and the foremost authority on lowering appraisal caps in the state was not chosen. Governor Perry knew that Bettencourt was out there, and quite frankly the people of Texas are getting screwed, and the governor knows it.

Its becoming apparent that the powers that be in Austin are not really for the people that be in Montgomery County or in Texas for that matter.

I've voted Republican since high school, but I'm publicly stating now that I am NOT VOTING for Governor Ricky Perry in November. I will protect down ballot GOP races of course, but Governor Perry has had more than enough chances to prove to the people of Texas that he is serious about capping appraisal caps at 3%, and he has refused to do so.

Even with the GOP holding both houses in Texas, it seems hard to believe that appraisal caps would find a time to pass, but it has happened. RINO Fred Hill, from the Dallas area, is a great example of a Republican committee chairman who was not looking out for the taxpayer.

People are tired of the politician saying "I didn't raise your tax rate, but the county chief appraiser ups your property value, and the taxpayer gets it in the behind. I'm tired of it, your tired of it, and if Kinky Friedman has to be elected governor of Texas, then so be it.

I now have had two elderly aunts in Austin who both lived near UT and have been taxed out of their homes, homes that they have been in since the 1960s. This appraisal cap situation is no joke. It really effects people. It's happening in Austin, and sooner or later it will be happening in Montgomery County.

If the Texas Task Farce on Appraisal Reform does not recommend a 3% cap on appraisals all the projected savings for taxpayers will be eaten up in just a few years, and then I will have more aunts and probably even my parents taxed out of their homes.

Task Farce Members are:

- Thomas W. Pauken, Dallas, President of TWP, Inc. For property tax relief, but has no history of being for appraisal caps.

- Gerald "Buddy" Winn, Bryan, Brazos County tax assessor/collector and chief appraiser. He has a history of being against appraisal caps.

- Robert A. Eckels, Houston, Harris County Judge. He will go with the flow of the commission.

- Avis Wukasch, Georgetown, realtor with Keller Williams. Undetermined on her actions, but if Gov. Perry chose her its because she must be against appraisal caps.

- Calvin W. Stephens, Dallas, president and chairman of SSP Consulting, L.C.

- John E. Nichols, Freeport, director of U.S., state and local tax for the Dow Chemical Company.

- Michael S. Stevens, Houston, chairman of Michael Stevens Interests, Inc.

- John R. (Bob) Garrett, Tyler, president of Fair Management, L.C., and Fair Oil Company of Texas, Inc.

- L. Curtis Culwell, Garland, superintendent of the Garland Independent School District. I can remember the letter from Galveston County Chief Appraiser Ken Wright to Friendswood ISD Superintendent Patricia Hanks stating that he could not raise the appraisals any higher than he already had done or people would get suspicious. Do not be looking for Mr. Culwell to be a appraisal cap friend to the Texas taxpayer.

- Timothy P. Roth, El Paso, professor of economics at the University of Texas at El Paso. Obviously he won't be a friend since he sits on the Sunset Committee.

- John David Franz, Hidalgo, mayor of the City of Hidalgo and is an attorney in private practice. Another lawyer that doesn't care about cutting appraisal caps.

- Gary O. Boren, Lubbock, vice president of G. Boren Services, Inc. A city council member and school board member who has no interest in the taxpayers appraisal caps.

- Robert E. Garrett, Amarillo, owner and broker of Coldwell Banker First Equity Realtors.

- Brooke Leslie Rollins, Fort Worth, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She's the governor's deputy general counsel and ethics advisor so don't be looking for appraisal cap help from her.

- Rolando B. Pablos, San Antonio, attorney in private practice, and president of Texans for Taxpayer Relief.

The CONROE WATCHDOG is Here

2006-09-06T18:27:00.000-05:00

Conroe's newest group to counter government waste and protect our city tax dollars has surfaced.

The Conroe Watchdog newsletter and website recently has made its debut and is stepping out in style. The website premiered in late August, while select citizens around Conroe started receiving the first volume of the newsletter in early September.

A big round of applause goes out to Editor Guy Martin, Assoc. Ed. Bill Cochran, Contributing Ed. Melvin Douglas, and Coordinator Sandy Martin.

I was proud to have voted for Guy during the last election and will continue to support him should he run in the future.

Keep up the good work.

KATY ISD Voters Reject $261 Million Dollar Bond

2006-05-16T10:46:00.000-05:00

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that Katy ISD voters rejected a $261 million dollar bond. And of course, Katy ISD, won't give up when they expect the money because they are greedy human being.

Before last weekends rejection of Katy's bond, the voters rejected a $399 million dollar bond last year.

Like NHMCCD, Katy will probably try again.

Katy efforts of $100 million dollar bonds in the recent past have passed, and as I have said, smaller chunks are more palatable to the electorate.

Greedy bonds such as $261 or $250 million puts a lot of pressure on the community and more times than naught will be rejected.

NHMCCD's Bond and Board Election Postponed Until Further Notice

2006-05-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

A NHMCCD Press Release has been posted on their website, and basicly states that the controversial election has been postponed.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts
Susan Wright 832 813 6669

John Luedemann 832 813 6558

NHMCCD TRUSTEES POSTPONE MAY 13 ELECTION
HOUSTON (May 11, 2006) -- In an emergency meeting today, the Board of Trustees of the North Harris Montgomery Community College District voted to repeal the order for the trustee and bond election called for Saturday, May 13, thereby postponing the election until a future date can be agreed upon with federal and state officials.

The district board's action on Thursday was worked out in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, which agreed that postponing the election was the only option available to the district without violating federal election laws. The action resulted from objections expressed by the Justice Department late last week regarding the location of polling sites for the May 13 election.

The district's election plan was originally submitted to the Justice Department on March 12, 2006, and was similar to the order for the district's 2000 bond referendum except that seven additional Election Day sites were added, almost all in voting precincts designated as minority communities. The 2000 order was approved without objection by the DOJ.

The scheduled 2006 election had not been questioned by federal officials until last Friday, when at 4:11 p.m., the Department of Justice faxed a letter to the district stating that the election could not be held as called. College district staff worked diligently over the weekend to put together an amended order that they believed would meet DOJ requirements.

However, the district and the DOJ ultimately agreed that there was not enough time to remedy concerns about the election to hold it on May 13. The district anticipates calling a new election for Election Day, November 7, pending approval by federal and state officials. This action affects only the college district election and has no impact on any other election conducted on Saturday, May 13.

North Harris Montgomery Community College District is among the largest and fastest growing community college districts in Texas. It comprises Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, seven satellite centers and The University Center. To learn more, visit www.nhmccd.edu.

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Vote NO! on NHMCCD's Bond Election 'Board Trustees to be Elected'

2006-05-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

I don't like it when someone attempts to hold an election under our noses, or a government entity tries to shove something down our throats. At least NHMCCD should have sent out a flyer to every household in the district. (In fact, I just a post card this afternoon, but it is a little to late).

$250 million is a lot of money. This is equivalent to a voluntary tax increase since our appraisals will continue to increase unless they are capped. These people at NHMCCD bigwigs think they are above everyone else spending our hard earned dollars for their new facilities when they have not one building considered in "poor condition." I frankly don't believe them when they say that there will be no increase in the tax rate.

Here is there link to their so-called Election Facts.

Election Day Voting
North Harris Montgomery Community College District
Board of Trustees and Bond Election

Election Day Polling Places
Saturday, May 13, 2006 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

NHMCCD makes some good points in their presentation. No doubt they have a good history of financial management, but that does not always represent what goes on in the future.

NHMCCD's intentions may be good, but I believe it is too much too soon. I remember reading about the Pearland City Council's shoving something like 170 amendments down the throats of Pearland voters back in the '90s. Every one of them went down in flames.

NHMCCD should have not stuffed our faces with this huge bond. Give the community smaller portions it can handle over time. OK, have your bond, but smaller, and do only the most important projects first.

This building project should have been drawn out over a period of years, not in one all or nothing chance. Inform the electorate. Don't treat them as the ugly stepchild; remember they are equal partners in NHMCCD's endeavors.

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NHMCCD Board Candidates

Trustee Position 1
J.B. Crowder, Sr.
John Lightfoot
Martin Basaldua (incumbent)

Trustee Position 2
J.D. Rutherford
David S. McIver (incumbent)
Reo William Kataoka, Jr.
David Holsey

Trustee Position 8
Fred T. Blanton
Randy Bates (incumbent)

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This is from the NHMCCD website:

The North Harris Montgomery Community College District is currently working with the U.S. Department of Justice to develop an approved list of the May 13 election day voting sites for the trustee and bond election. That information will be posted and publicized through the media as soon as it has been approved.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience to our voters resulting from this recent requirement to change our voting locations.

CLOUT Endorses SD 3 GOP Candidate Robert Nichols and SD 7 GOP Candidate Dan Patrick

2006-02-20T22:13:00.000-06:00

In an e-mail sent Monday evening, CLOUT endorsed Republican SD 3 Candidate Robert Nichols.

CLOUT noted that Nichols "solidly supports both Appraisal & Spending Caps, and is against the Senate Blocker Bill." CLOUT also noted that Nichols "will be a real help in the upcoming budget battles" since he "understands the Health and Human Services area of the State Budget."

CLOUT also endorsed SD 7 Republican Candidate Dan Patrick who is a local Conservative Talk Radio host, and owner of a Lake Conroe residence that is NOT homesteaded. I hope Patrick wins outright over his SD 7 opponents. Texas needs a strong voice for property tax reductions and spending caps, and why not one with his own radio show in Austin while in session.

I believe that Senators Nichols and Patrick will work well together in getting these issues well under control so that homeowners can actually have better qualities of lives with monies that would have otherwise gone to wasteful government that only asks for more and offers less.

A School Finance and Property Tax Plan offered to the CU for Public Consumption

2006-02-20T14:07:00.000-06:00

I was recently sent an e-mail about how we should go about school finance and getting a handle on residential property taxes, which we all admit are growing rapidly out of control. I sent the person a response, telling them to come up with a plan and run it by me. If it looks good, I'll make a post. They took me seriously and sent me a plan, and here is the post.

The current method of politicians claiming they "have not raised our taxes," yet most of us get back door property tax increases via increased appraisals has to go. More and more cases of Senior Citizens being "taxed out of their homes" when expenses for daily living and property taxes outgrow meager pensions and social security, and Senior Citizens, some having lived multiple decades in the same home quite simply, cannot keep up and are forced to sell.

It is a total shame and greedy government is to blame. Greedy government such as Montgomery County Commissioners giving themselves a nice $4,000/yr increase in their car allowance, when many of us are forced to drive an aging automobiles year after year. Greedy school districts that believe they deserve every dime that can squeeze out of their constituents, many of whom don't have any children in local schools yet pay out the nose. Greedy government that refuses to tighten its own belt, they never audit themselves, or make efforts to look for waistful spending or business practices.

We all know that following the primaries, the Governor is calling a Special Session to handle the School Finance issue which so generously dips its hands into the homeowners pockets each and every year. But as we have seen with the Roman Forest issue, that the people suffer, those in power are playing their fiddles.

The plan offered is simple and fair, and provides relief to the taxpayer while being fair to businesses.

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1. Look at property taxes more like the registration of our automobiles in Texas. (My Motorhome's registration fee is more expensive that it costs to register my car or truck). The same principle can be applied to homes and their valuations.

For instance, a homes appraised value of:
- $50,000 and below - $100 (home registration fee)
- $50,000 - $75,000 - $200
- $75,000 - $100,000 - $300
- $100,000 - $150,000 - $400
- $150,000 - $200,000 - $500

and incremental values up to the millions. Second homes not being homesteads should have applicable extra fees of $50 - $100.

2. Residential appraisals can only be done on the sale of a home or once every ten years, with a 3% cap on the rise of appraisals.

3. Residential exemptions on home registration fees should not exist or be drastically reduced. (At least be comparable to the current car registration exemptions).

4. Increase the State Sales Tax 1% or 2%. (If property owners know they don't have to pay an increasingly aggressive property tax on a yearly basis, homeowners would be inclined to improve their homes or purchase other goods and services that will be helpful to Texas' economy. For instance those homeowners in Austin, who face reappraisal of their residences once a home improvement takes place, will not be shocked with a tax bill they cannot pay. Once homeowners are assured that property taxes will not rise, they will be more likely to purchase goods to improve their homes.)

5. The state must collect all sales taxes due to the state aggressively and quickly.

6. Businesses must assume some sort of reasonable tax that will not be a burden to commerce.

7. Business exemptions on large companies must be examined and reduced, but not to the point of not attracting businesses to Texas.

8. School districts and other governmental agencies must be audited on a yearly or biennial basis to help reduce cost and government waste.

9. A rewards program governed by an elected commission must be developed for civilians or government employees who offer suggestions on how to reduce costs and government waste. Such a program must involve personnel at all levels of government to help ensure that as much government waist as possible is marked.

10. Texas Taxpayers must be given an outlet for action where Texas lawmakers have left off. Initiative & Referendum (I&R) must be implemented so that Texas Taxpayers are given a true voice to ensure that their state is run appropriately. Republican Platform votes on I&R have passed overwhelmly in the past and its time to revive that effort.

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Local Endorsements for March 2006 GOP Races and Ballot Propositions

2006-02-15T14:10:00.000-06:00

SD 3
----
I have no doubt that Frank Denton or Robert Nichols will make great Texas Senators from Senate District 3.

I would initially give the edge to Frank Denton, not because he's from our area, but because he goes a little bit farther than I'm asking by at least supporting a test program for school vouchers. But on the same note Robert Nichols says "Maybe" to school vouchers as well.

In thinking for the good of the party, Robert Nichols probably has the greatest name recognition in all the Senate District, and does have a proven record of public service including reducing property taxes. So come early voting later this month, I'll be voting Nichols.

HD 16
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I will be voting Dale Inman. I liked his attitude, and believe he will not be affected by those special people that already know established people like Vicky Rudy and Brandon Creighton.

We already have enough things named Creighton in Montgomery County, and we don't need to start it in Austin. Anyway, I didn't like Brandon's political advertisement that featured David Dewhurst, who was instrumental in the past legislative sessions in not getting our property taxes reduced.

I still think that Vicky Rudy should be running against Rob Eissler in HD 15 where her home is, instead of running for HD16, where he job is.

County Comm Pct 4
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Hank Murray has said he will not vote to raise the current $21,000/yr car allowance for the commissioners. That's hooks me right there. Hank knows Pct 4 having worked there, and he knows how to save money and cut waist by not renting equipment unless its needed for a project.

GOP Ballot Propositions
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I encourage all GOP voters to vote "YES on all four ballot propositions.

The ballot propositions are non-bindings, but gives the chance for the GOP to get back to the grassroots, and covers issues such as the stopping of voter fraud, protecting our property being seized by the government for others economic gain, and slowing the growth of government which is dipping its hands way to much in our change purses in collecting confiscatory property taxes.

Prop 1 - Requires a "Photo ID" to vote in any Texas election. Recommend to vote FOR.

Prop 2 - Provides "Private Property Protection" against the recent the Supreme Court ruling that allows economic based property seizures. Recommend to vote FOR.

Prop 3 - Creates a "Spending Cap" limit on government's ability to raise revenue over a district's inflation rate. Recommend to vote FOR.

Prop 4 - A concensus to reduce the existing "Appraisal Cap" from 10% to 5% or less. Recommend to vote FOR! (This proposition needs to pass like 97% to 3%. Probably only RINOs will be voting against this bill.

Endorsements For GOP Races Coming By Mid-February

2006-01-29T01:10:00.000-06:00

I still want to look at the candidates a little bit more, before I really make up my mind.

Unless my mind is changed completely, the SD-3 endorsement is down to Denton and Nichols with me leaning Nichols. Until Kleimann and Reeves get property taxes seriously on their radar screens, I will not seriously consider them even with Kleimann being a member of my local church community in Conroe.

HD-16 is still up in the air, but Vicky Rudy has a history of lowering tax rates. I anticipate talking with Brandon Creighton and Dale Inman in the next 10 days or so, and then make up my mind and make a post.

Although I like Vicky, I've been trying to understand Rudy's candidacy. She has a home in Magnolia (HD-15) with a Homestead Exemption yet claims to reside at an address in Montgomery on Houston Street I cannot find records for. I hope there is a simple explanation for this because I'm going to find out.

Roman Forest Tax Appraisals on Fire while MC Comm. Court, Chief Appraiser, County Clerk and Tax Assessor Collector Play their Fiddles

2006-01-24T11:47:00.000-06:00

Some homeowners in Roman Forest have been experiencing serious increases in their assessed values of their properties by the Montgomery County Appraisal District (MCAD), with some property assessments exceeding 100% from 2004 to 2006. What ever happened to 30% every three years.

I asked myself, how can this happen in this day and age?

I know our Montgomery County officials have to be carrying the same burden as those fine people in New Caney. That if the assessments on the fine people of Roman Forest go up, then undoubtedly the assessments of our own Montgomery County officials have to be going up as well. Right?

I was wrong.

Yes, while homeowners are in crisis in Roman Forest with their assessments, the exception lies with influential Montgomery County officials with residential property in the eastern part of the county.

It turns out that the "Big Cheeses of Montgomery County" are either having very modest increases in their appraisals or "my word" having their property tax appraisals drastically reduced.

Using the same formulas and checking the same records as the above pictured information, I decided to do my own spreadsheet on just Montgomery County Officials. (Click on the image and fully increase your window to be amazed).

One Montgomery County Commissioner has had his tax burden reduced 10% in the last three years, and the Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector has had his assessment drop over 20% drop in the last three years. I've PDFd all this information.

Other Montgomery County officials have had no increases in their assessments over the past three years, while one or two have received increase assessments.

We know Roman Forest is having new construction near older neighborhoods with many senior citizens on the verge of being taxed out of their homes, but the way assessments are being handled in that area is out of control.

100% plus increase in assessed values of properties is crazy compared to a 20% decrease seen by the TAC. We already know his answer, "Oh, we meant to put a 3 where the 2 is?" It was a simple mistake. Yeah, where is Paul Bettencourt when you need him.

Know this citizens of Montgomery County. The County Judge or County Commissioners played no part in digging deeper into their pockets to pay their extra car allowance that recently went from $17K to $21K per year.

I recently had an Aunt in Austin taxed out of her home. She had lived in her home near Austin's city center, across from a fire station for over 35 years, and she was forced to sell when her daily living expenses and property taxes outpaced her little pension and social security.

So Roman Foresters and citizens of Montgomery County do have something to worry about when it comes to out of control government wanting more and more from our pockets.

Government should "audit first" and "tax later."

School Finance System Deemed Unconstitutional

2005-11-22T11:52:00.000-06:00

It stated hitting the presses just before 11:00am today. Court rules state school finance system unconstitutional was the Chronicle headline.

The Texas Supreme Court is not taking schadenfreude in the Texas taxpayers misery. Today they ruled local property taxes used to pay for public schools are to be considered "an unconstitutional statewide tax." Thank God.

The Supreme Court has given the Legislature until June 1 to fix the problem. The decision was 7-1, and stated that the current school funding plan was inadequate and that those poorer districts should have equal access to funding.

Now its really up to the legislature to fix the problem to make it fair, in a special session that the governor will probably call next year after the primary elections.

The Supremes rightfully thought that the current $1.50 per $100 valuation cap amounted to a statewide property tax since many school districts are just about at the limit.

This primary season will surely be even more heated with todays Supreme Court decision, seeing as the legislature failed in its previous regular and special sessions to hammer out a proper solution which is fair for all parts of the state.

Newly Revamped Houston Chronicle Offers a Poll on Cost Increases Affecting People (Guess What Came Up No. 1)

2005-11-20T21:13:00.000-06:00

A time is coming in Texas when this issue will come to a head and the people will make a stand that politicians cannot resist even with the pushing of lobbyists.

Another Example of Outrageous Property Valuations in East Austin

2005-11-08T11:51:00.000-06:00

A University of Texas Daily Texan story today "Rising property taxes keeping East Austin neighborhoods on edge," highlighted the outrageous increased valuations of longtime residents in East Austin. Since I still have relatives that reside in East Austin, a longtime predominate hispanic neighborhood now turned more Anglo, it was of great interest to me.

Houses that were selling for as little as $45,000 just six years ago, are now being valued at or near $200,0000, with some as high as $325,000, and these are two bedroom, two bathroom houses. Incredibly, valuations are doubling in as little as four years, and it is putting a desperate bite on the pocketbooks of the residents of East Austin.

Since Austin is a liberal area, we can expect them to take extra measures to ensure that residents are seperated from as much of their money as possible. Hence property values have increased dramatically. Longtime residents are being helped by the nonprofit organizations Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation which fights for the lifelong residents and mostly low-income families who are being forced out of the neighborhood because of high rent or increased property taxes.

If you haven't been to East Austin, it is the part of town that is just East of Highway 35 that runs through the center of town. From the highway it is easy walking distance from Sixth Street and all things night-life in Austin.

East Austin has held its own refusing to blend in with the other side of the highway so far, but with government against them its only a matter of time before East Austin is redone with white liberals and their urban renewal such as what we see in downtown Houston with their newfangled metal buildings that they call townhomes.

Even if the neighborhood nonprofit organization project helps the East Austin residents over time they will still wind up with increased rents and tax bills in a few years. The property valuations are not only hurting the residents but neighborhood churches as well. Many churches report that members who used to walk to Sunday services have long been forced out, and they have seen economical and ethnic changes in their congregations as well.

The article did mention the 10 percent property tax cap and how Travis County Appraisal District is misusing the property valuation against the homeowners when they want to improve their property such as adding a small addition to the house. A house that appraised at $45,000 in 1999 is suddenly appraised post improvement to $145,000, thus giving a complete shock to the homeowner who just wanted a little improvement in his life.

Many East Austin residents have learned not to modify their homes or face a stiff tax bill, and that choice is holding back commerce in Austin which could make up the difference in taxation. Contractors are not being hired when residents have the money, and residents are not enjoying a chance at a better way of life. Thanks liberal government.

Either way, the liberal government is going to get their money, either with improvements or increased property valuations, which is the politicians secret weapon in getting weapon. The politician can say "I didn't raise your taxes," but he will get his increased revenues every year anyway. Yes, up to 10 percent increased revenues, because of unelected appraisers who can be manipulated by elected officials who see their constituents property rise, while the elected officials property taxes magic hover or even fall.

By lowering the property tax cap to 3%, it keeps up with inflation and any pay raises we happen to receive, and property taxes take much longer of double, and people in East Austin can put in an extra room for the clothes washer and dryer.

And to think in Conroe. Do we not have our own little East Austin?

One Letter That Will Get Your Property Taxes Reduced

2005-11-03T08:57:00.000-06:00

Note: Print this letter out and keep it in your tax files. Evidently our elected officials believe we are here to serve them and not visa versa.

If there is any evidence about the greed of politicians and bureaucrats it is encompassed in this letter dated June 16, 2004 from Galveston County Chief Appraiser Ken Wright to Friendswood Superintendent Patricia Hanks.

Evidently Friendswood ISD had asked for a little squeeze from the CAD.

Lone Star Times summarized Wright's letter with the following revelations:

1. Confirmation that FISD's manipulation of GCAD's mass appraisal database with their own home sales data increased property tax burdens in a number of Friendswood neighborhoods.

2. Indications that much of the data FISD attempted to feed into the appraisal process was of such poor quality and questionable accuracy that GCAD dismissed it in its entirety.

3. Because of FISD's pressure, appraisal district staff were encouraged to minimize the concerns of homeowners protesting their appraisals so that FISD's revenue could be maximized.

4. FISD has enjoyed and appears to "count" on Friendswood homeowners' property tax burdens increasing at or near the current 10% cap annually, and views any less than that amount as cause to pressure the appraisal district to find more revenue.

Not to mention in Friendswood that those in beaucracy and those in government that supported the tax increases on there citizens did not receive as much of an increase in their taxes, as compared to those who openly opposed the increases, who taxes markedly went up.

This attitude can be transferred to County government as well. What the hell do you call a $20,000 a year plus car allowance for our glorious county commissioners.

Remember to prostrate yourselves in front of them the next time you are in their presence, and refer to them as "Your High Commissioner," before you ask permission to speak.

Conroe Underground Gets Spiritual Approval

2005-11-02T15:14:00.000-06:00

I guess the Lord doesn't like getting taxed.

CU Constitutional Amendment Election Positions for November 8th

2005-10-17T21:38:00.000-05:00

I was asked recently for advice of who I plan to support in the 2006 Republican Primary. Good question. But it is way to early to make a determination because the filing deadline for the Republican Party primary is not till early January. By that time, I will have talked with all the SD and HD candidates and will make a proper call for the citizens of Montgomery County.

In the meantime, we have a Constitutional Amendment Election coming up on November 8th with early voting starting October 24th. The Montgomery County Elections website has all the information including early voting locations scattered around the county for voters convienence. Please get out and vote.

Here is my call and explanations for voting either FOR or AGAINST a particular amendment that will appear on the November 8th ballot:

Proposition 1 - HJR 54 "The constitutional amendment creating the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund and authorizing grants of money and issuance of obligations for financing the relocation, rehabilitation and expansion of rail facilities." CU Position: AGAINST. The use of public funds to rehab or subsidize private business efforts is not a good idea. Businesses should be left to their own ingenuity to make a profit or go down in flames.

Proposition 2 - HJR 6 "The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage." CU Position: FOR. Traditional marriage is finally being defined in this constitutional amendment and offers protections from activist state judges in the present or the future from taking action to redefine marriage down.

Proposition 3 - HJR 80 "The constitutional amendment clarifying that certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt." CU Position: AGAINST. This can be seen as a corporate welfare ploy and needs to be turned down. Businesses must be able to determine their own direction according to the market without government interference.

Proposition 4 - SJR 17 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a criminal defendant who violates a condition of the defendant's release pending trial." CU Position: FOR. I don't think anybody should be against this one; except the ACLU, anti victims-rights groups, liberals, and al-Qaeda.

Proposition 5 - SJR 21 "The constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to define rates of interest for commercial loans." CU Position: FOR. Good idea. It sets ground rules for lenders and borrowers. It takes more out of play Texas usury laws which in the past have hindered in-state lenders to the benefit of out-of-state lenders. Texas banks should see more business which leads to more growth in Texas and Montgomery County.

Proposition 6 - HJR 87 "The constitutional amendment to include one additional public member and a constitutional county court judge in the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct." CU Position: AGAINST. More government is bad government. By adding two more members to the 11 member commission increases the chances of the commission to become inefficient and ineffective. Anyway 13 members would make it an unlucky board.

Proposition 7 - SJR 7 "The constitutional amendment authorizing line-of-credit advances under a reverse mortgage." CU Position: FOR. This amendment lets the market determine its own course. Senior homeowners would especially benefit from this amendment, and if their kids are dopes, the heirs can wind up with nothing if the Seniors play their cards right.

Proposition 8 - SJR 40 "The constitutional amendment providing for the clearing of land titles by relinquishing and releasing any state claim to sovereign ownership or title to interest in certain land in Upshur County and in Smith County." CU Position: FOR. Only deals with interest in Upshur and Smith Counties. Taxpayer money should be saved because of less state litigation being conducted on land title cases.

Proposition 9 - HJR 79 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a six-year term for a board member of a regional mobility authority." CU Position: AGAINST. I loath unelected boards and toll road authorities that keep raising tolls on already paid off toll roads. This only opens the door for decreased accountability and corruption. Two-year staggered terms are OK, but forget six year terms.

It's Time to Pay Judge Sadler's and Commissioners Court increased car allowance

2005-10-05T16:10:00.000-05:00

When you visit the mailbox today or tommorrow, you will be getting your 2005 Tax Due notice from Montgomery County stating that

"it's time for Judge Sadler and the Commissioners Court
gang to get their new cars for 2006,"

well not really -- but that's what it should say.

I know for a fact I will be paying several months of Judge Sadler's increased car allowance myself -- I hope he gets a Mini Cooper next month.

The waist of money in Montgomery County's budget is incredible, and we are paying for it through the nose.

I can suggest O'Connor & Associates at cutmytaxes.com to help you cutting your taxes. Good luck.

AARP article notes "Big Squeeze" of property taxes on senior citizen wallets

2005-09-14T09:46:00.000-05:00

I haven't had much respect for AARP especially since they downed President Bush's Social Security plan. But since they would be losing power in time, you can't blame them for trying.

That aside, AARP has recognized that property taxes are affecting senior citizens and in some cases are taking up half of seniors incomes. And when property taxes are coupled with medical cost and everyday living, there is little room for anything else in seniors lives.

The September 2005 AARP article "The Big Squeeze: Soaring property taxes have homeowners reeling—and rebelling," author Elaine Povich enlightens readers with incredible stories of taxing entities that tax homeowners not on the basis of their income, but rather on the value of their home.

See, when a homeowner retires, most of the time the seniors income falls dramatically. The federal government has recognized that fact, but when it comes to counties and states, they don't care to know.

Yes, they might have an Over-65 exemption which freezes the tax rate on a house, but in Texas the senior citizen gets screwed by the county tax appraiser who continues to raise home appraisals and the savings enjoyed when a senior turns 65 are eating up within five years.

Now where does that leave seniors, much less young professional adults who are in the market for $150,000 houses, but are rebuffed when they hear the property taxes places them out of that market.

If the real estate bubble burst, property taxes will play a large part in the endeavor.

Seniors are being driven from the homes. Povich notes the case of sixty-three-year-old Ruth Wohlforth from New Jersey. She lives in a "very, very tiny house" near the Atlantic coast, her house is barely larger than a good sized motorhome and her property taxes are around $3,500 per year. Some 30 years ago she paid on $250. Ms. Wohlforth's yearly income comes from Social Security and is approximately $8,000, of which her property taxes take a pretty hefty chunk out of her yearly income.

Povich states "the housing bubble, with its red-hot real estate values, has sent property taxes soaring, making taxpayers mad as hell. From Maine to California, from Texas to Minnesota, rebellious homeowners are squeezed, and politicians are scrambling to try to accommodate them."

The shame is that property taxes are not adjusted to the property owners income level. While the seniors retirement income falls, the property taxes may initially stablize at the time of retirement, but over time the property taxes rise associated with higher appraisals placed on the homes. In time we get the situations that Ms. Wolforth is now experiencing.

Since "property taxes are levied by counties and municipalities (and by a few states)," government cannot stand to lose one dollar in their budgets, but when budgets are truly examined there is so much waste due to greed and inefficiency that when the truth is known, head may roll.

In Montgomery County, the coffers are so filled with cash County Commissioners voted themselves a raise in their car allowance to over $1700 per month, County Judge Alan Sadler says he will forego it after being exposed, but I'm sure that that's just a ruse.

I ask -- when is the breaking point? When will government budgets yield to personal budgets that cannot afford to pay fattening government budgets?

Government can live with fewer dollars in their coffers. They have to be smarter about their business. They have to care about their business. Each and every government employee should be given ownership in their enterprise.

Incentive programs to reduce government waste should be implemented, as well as incorporating technology that reduces the number of government workers needed to complete a task should be put in place. Not to mention the outsourcing of non-essential government functions can go a long way in reducing the cost of government.

With the baby boomers starting to retire, the issue of property taxes will someday soon come to the top of the political spectrum. The Texas Legislature has been lazy to offer property tax relief in repeated attempts by sane Texas legislators to help out senior citizens and other property owners.

State legislatures that refuse to solve the problem such as Texas, New Jersey, and Maine, etc. may soon experience a backlash.

As for myself, in the next Republican primary in 2006, I will voting for very few incumbents from the governor of Texas on down. I am going to closely play attention to attitudes on property taxes, and especially those who voted against property tax caps.

And I trust many more Texans will be doing so as well.

Look for tax increase in Montgomery County taxing entities (MC GOP Exec Cmte foregoes ability to take stands on issues affecting MC citizens)

2005-09-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

At a recent meeting of the Montgomery County Republican Party executive committee, a majority of the Precinct Chairs which comprise the committee voted to change their rules so they never have to officially vote on any local issue or any local candidate (apart from the partisan elections). In effect, the majority of the executive committee voted to absolve themselves of their responsibility to take stances for their constituencies, which are small but still are just as important to the partisan process.

No longer will the Republican Party in Montgomery County step on the toes of Republicans who are in power in the county. No longer will issues that need to be looked at early in the process be tackled by the executive committee. Issues such as tax increases. Issues such as increased car allowances for elected county officials will not be addressed. Issues that now will be steered by Republican incumbents in power in Montgomery County in effect taking the power of the people -- the grass roots -- out of the equation.

Their is now no chance resolutions by the Montgomery County Republican Executive Committee that will be expressed to criticize a critical issue or a MC elected official. No chance to distance the Republican party from an elected official who truly screws up and does not represent our values in the county.

Now guess what, more tax increases are planned by many taxing entities in Montgomery County for 2005. We are looking at 18 billion dollars (with 20 billion possibly by early 2006) in increased valuations.

Since Republican grass roots voices in Montgomery County have now been strongly gagged, taxing entities across Montgomery County will soon be reaping the benefits of raising their tax rates thus fattening their wallets.

How much will your car allowance be next year Commissioner Sadler? $2000 per month? Why don't you guys rescind or drastically lower crap like that. It doesn't take that much to maintain a county vehicle.

Hell, I bet you guys get a lot of junk mail from the area car dealerships offering no deals on new cars. Of course you guys can afford it.

From the latest estimates (which are a compilation of increased appraisal value plus any tax rate increase) citizens of Montgomery County can be looking at the following increases:

City of Montgomery - 52%
E. Montgomery Cy. MUD #1 - 27%
New Caney ISD - 23%
Magnolia ISD - 23%
City of Shenandoah - 19%
Montgomery Co. DD #10 - 19%
Splendora ISD - 17%
Emergency Service Dist. #8 - 17%
North Harris Montgomery Community College - 14%

More to come. My thanks to a great GOP guy who cares about the Republican Party in Montgomery County for this stunning information.

Republican Primary Voters are important - Part I

2005-08-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

It is obvious that this Republican primary season is going to be heated in 2006. The failure for the Texas Legislature to attend to the needs of the people, but convienently support the telecom bill is outrageous.

The following people have lost my confidence in Austin, and its time to replace them will some people that will adhere to the needs of the people and not special interest who have big money and lobbyists.

I will not be voting for the following people during the 2006 Republican Primary:

Gov. Rick Perry
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst
St. Sen. Tommy Williams (especially him)
St. Sen. Todd Staples
St. Rep. Ruben Hope
No Montgomery County Commissioner

It is time to make a change, and I will be looking for any Republican without a political background.

Tom Craddick and David Dewhurst - Withhold your primary vote from these jokers

2005-08-12T10:29:00.000-05:00

The recent commercial that Tom Craddick is pushing that blames totally David Dewhurst for the school finance reform fiasco is worthless and he knows. Craddick is just as guilty as Dewhurst since it was Craddick's job to obstruct last time. Not to mention that Craddick paid for the commercial out of his own campaign fund shows that he is really worried about losing his Speakers job.

In the 2003 session, house member Fred Hill from the Dallas area, chairman of the Ways & Means committee, under Craddick's leadership, was totally against school finance reform as well as the property tax cap.

This past session in 2005, David Dewhurst, the most powerful man in Austin took the reins from Speaker Craddick. Dewhurst certainly does not have my vote in the next primary, and I would hope that the people of District 82 withhold their vote in the next Republican primary as well.

I think the RINOs in Austin, are starting to gauge homeowners anger, hence the desperate commercial from Tom Craddick.

Texas Legislature in a mess 'SBC and Verizon spend tons for legislation that favors them' (Texas school kids get squat)

2005-08-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

A Chronicle report shows that the Texas Legislature is out of control. Edd Hendee of KSEV radio was livid this morning, and I agreed with him - throw the whole lot of them out.

Where is Initiative & Referendum (I&R) when you need it. It is time for the people of Texas to take charge because their needs are not being met by the state legislature.

I have an idea, why can't the people of Texas sue the Texas State Legislature stating that the peoples needs are not being met and get I&R installed as the peoples means to have a say in Texas government.

With all this mess, the legislature has the audacity (and time) to vote a raise for Texas state judges whose salaries are directly tied to their pensions, while Texas homeowners are struggling to pay a growing property tax that will soon tax us all out of our homes.

Conroe ISD not as greedy as Commissioners Court (Drop M&O rate by a penny)

2005-08-04T21:10:00.000-05:00

The Courier is reporting that with Montgomery County and Conroe growing fast, an unexpected rise in revenue caused the Conroe ISD school board to lower the M&O (Maintenance and Operation) rate by a penny per $100 of property value.

Evidently the folks on the Conroe ISD board do not have car allowances to increase or raises to give themselves, so they could afford to give an $8.50 gift to Conroe homeowners.

Despite the good news, we are still getting screwed. Maintenance on the debt service will cause property taxes to rise $25 on top of that, so you will be in your house that much less when you cannot afford to pay for your taxes.

Courier Report "County sees higher property values, but plans no tax rate cut" (Commissioners car allowance goes from $17k to $21; plus raises)

2005-08-03T23:35:00.000-05:00

A recent Conroe Courier article is a good example of Montgomery County government not being unable to do with one less dollar in their budgets. With new housing construction the county is getting $10 million more in revenues, but they still will not give us a tax cut.

Worst yet, our property values continue to rise even without tax increases due to increase evaluations, and more and more homeowners are getting more and more pissed.

Property taxes are not related to ones income and seniors really get screwed when they retire. In addition, their is no longer talk of property tax caps in Austin, so eventually we will all be taxed out of our homes if nothing is done.

The Lone Star times blog and KSEV's Dan Patrick have challenged Montgomery County's elected leaders as of late on their allowances and fat raises they continue to give themselves. Did you know that County Judge Sadler and the Commissioners Court got a $4000 raise in their car allowance this year to $21,000. No wonder we never see them in old cars.

In fact, Judge Sadler only rejected the raise in his car allowance when he was challenged by KSEVs Patrick. No word yet if other members of commissioners court have rejected their raise in car allowances. I'm sure the local car dealers will be objection to Sadler.

In a stark contrast the Tax Assessor Collector of Harris County, Paul Bettencourt, only gets $400 a month car allowance compared to nearly $1,700 for Montgomery County commissioners court and other Montgomery County elected officials.

No wonder why we are not getting a tax cut in Conroe and surrounding cities. Montgomery County government cannot deal with one less dollar in their coffers, even though their getting an extra $10 million elected officials still have to have their new cars and higher salaries.

I will be looking very hard at Sadler and others next election.

Lone Star Times Report: "Money falls from sky in Montgomery Co."

2005-07-31T17:45:00.000-05:00

It's like singing in the rain, but instead of not having the umbrella closed like in the movie, Judge Alan B. Sadler, has the umbrella open to catch to money falling from the sky.

Why? Heck, when your county is growing by leaps and bounds, why not keep a little extra for yourself.

I can understand giving country employees a raise, but the arrogance of the Montgomery County commissioners court not only to give themselves a raise, but to add onto their monthly car allowance is insane.

Please thank Judge Sadler for his money management skills at bsadler@co.montgomery.tx.us or call him at his office at (936) 539-7812.

Thanks to LST for this article.

Chronicle Report: "Growth is good news for Montgomery County" elected officials

2005-07-29T17:18:00.000-05:00

The Chronicle reported on the Montgomery County budget and conveniently waited till the end to give the reader the perks of Montgomery County elected officials, who practically can afford a new car each year.

Poor being forced out of their homes - Property Tax too high cries a LIBERAL group

2005-06-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

In a recent Lone Star Times post "Left-wing group decries escalating property taxes"on PODER, or People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources a liberal group located in Austin cried foul, because many citizens in Austin's hispanic community are slowly but surely being forced from their homes.

I know, I have an aunt that lives in one of those communities near downtown Austin, and the price of her property has skyrocketed in the last ten years. Of course the property values have affected the taxes that poor hispanic homeowners have been forced to pay.

Many of these hispanic homeowners have worked all their lives for the dream of home ownership, their own little piece of this Earth. Now government is starting to march in and slowly force these fine citizens out of their homes with their excessive taxation.

PODER advocates a statewide income tax, but I do not believe that is the answer either. Something has to be done that is fair to homeowners and renters, the homebound and the homeless.

State Senator Tommy Williams 'Property Tax Cap Hater' (Some interesting quotes)

2005-06-03T08:55:00.000-05:00

State Senator Tommy Williams recently said of the 3% Property Tax Cap, "I won't be the one that kills it." Meaning that the fix was already in on the bill to kill it from the RINOs in the State Senate.

Tommy Williams has never been for reduced property tax caps, and he recently said of the bills death "It wasn't from a lack of effort." Senator Williams, you never even tried.

Next March, The Woodlands will be RINO hunting territory Senator Williams.

Do not do business with Woodforest Financial Services or any Woodforest entitity. If you are doing business, please stop and go somewhere else. I would recommend Edward Jones.

Senator Williams is not looking after your interest, so why look after his.

SUPPORT THE 3% PROPERTY CAP!!!

"Truth in Taxation" Bill is a BAD BILL

2005-05-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

Now that the Property Tax Cap has been killed, the Truth in Taxation bill is soon to rear its ugly head.

Quite frankly "Truth in Taxation" is a bad bill.

It will kill jobs on the business side, with no real relief for the homeowner, while in the meantime hurting business with more taxes -- risking the loss of jobs in order to pay the new taxes; not to mention raising the sales tax rate another half percent.

"Truth in Taxation" will put the screws to not only the homeowner but also the business owner, and it has to be killed.

Please take a moment and contact our representatives and let them know you care about the homeowner and the business owner who supports the homeowner by giving them jobs to buy and support homesteads.

SENATE DISTRICT 3 - SENATOR TODD STAPLES
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0103 District Phone: (903) 729-7717

SENATE DISTRICT 4 - SENATOR TOMMY WILLIAMS
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0104 District Phone: (281) 364-9426

(Patrick mentioned this RINO (Republican In Name Only) by name.

HOUSE DISTRICT 16 - REPRESENTATIVE RUBEN W. HOPE
Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0726 District Phone: (936) 539-4622

Montgomery County Elitists Badboys in Government

2005-05-09T08:56:00.000-05:00

One of our moles associated with the Montgomery County Court has let us know that County Judge Alan B. Sadler and the Commissioners Court might have a problem with one less dollar in their budget.

Our moles reports that Judge Sadler and the tax collector are on the appraisal board, which makes them essentially foxes "in the hen house." Checking the records at the Montgomery County Appraisal Records click "Owner Search, type in "Sadler" in the "Last Name" field, and you will be amazed at how many Sadler's have not had any increases in their property taxes.

Downtown Conroe is a throne for county government and it is out of control. The only thing missing is a White House for Judge Sadler.

The Montgomery ISD School Board also needs attention. Check out the lavish school buildings and stadium that any university would love to have. Thanks to our mole for that tidbit of information.

Most of the city officials in Montgomery County are under the influence of the Texas Municipal League and you would be surprised with the retirement plans that city managers get with TML -- were talking 20% matched -- of which your paying for.

The recent Perryman Report exposed their thirst for blood money -- taxes collected from us -- in which they cannot stand one less dollar in their budgets if property tax caps are approved.

Here is a list of Montgomery County elitists that are influenced by the TML:

City of Montgomery, City of Stagecoach, City of Willis, City of Conroe, City of Oak Ridge North, Town of Woodloch, City of Panorama Village, City of Roman Forest, City of Patton Village, City of Woodbranch Village, City of Shenandoah, City of Splendora, Town of Cut and Shoot, City of Magnolia .

The links may not work here, but you can try the TML directory and search for Montgomery County -- then you can see whose influenced by the people that hate giving you tax relief.

Not to be out done the Texas Association of Counties has their grip on the Montgomery County Court as well. They have been posting liberal media stories favorable to county officials around the state who believe that government will die if one less is collect in a county budget. Hogwash.

Success in Friendswood and Dickinson elections 'C.L.O.U.T. backed candidates kick ass!' (What will the legislature do next?)

2005-05-08T19:38:00.000-05:00

The homeowners in Friendswood and Dickinson win with Clout backed candidates!

No longer will run amok law makers at any level of government be able to treat the taxpayer like their personal whipping boys.

I've seen some crap in life with war injuries, a personal battle with cancer, the deaths of close buddies in wartime and family at home. I have been trained and never shed a tear.

But when I saw this article on the Lone Star Times website Sunday evening it put a tear in my eye.

FINALLY, the homeowners have won two small battles. There is a chink in the elitist armor; a leak in the elitist dam.

It is so bad for the elitist, the Houston Chronicle (like any communist paper would) pulled its seven county 'Election Central' coverage from their main page once the good news from Friendswood started coming in, and they showed hardly anything of local elections and practically a smidgen on Galveston County (nothing on the C.L.O.U.T. Friendswood and Dickinson successes) in the paper today. When I heard the news I wanted to celebrate like this guy did.

In Dickinson the incumbent mayor Veta Winick was defeated by C.L.O.U.T. supporter Julie Dues Masters winning 53% of the vote. Mayor Winick refused to debate the 3% property tax cap, and has paid the political price.

THEY ARE ON THE RUN FOLKS! The Houston Commicle subscriptions are down 4% since the last rating and continue to fall.

A BIG THANKS FOR PAT LENNON TAKING ON THE MAN IN MONTGOMERY, AND GIVING IT A GOOD TRY!

YOU'RE NEXT TOMMY WILLIAMS!

State Senator Tommy Williams 'Hates 3% Property Tax Cap' (Woodforest Financial Services President hiding something)

2005-05-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

I heard Dan Patrick on The Voice today saying that Tommy Williams has never been for reduced property taxes. Meaning the 3% property tax cap. The Woodlands RINO Williams represents lower Montgomery County and a good portion of lower East Texas.

Something has got to change. Initially searches of his records turned up nothing so far. So Tommy Williams may be hiding something.

Senator Williams, show us where we can find your property tax records to see if you are taking the sweet deals that the Friendswood represenatives are getting down there in Galveston County.

Time will tell if you are a true RINO Senator Williams. From now on you will be attacked until you stand for the rights of the property owner in Montgomery County and those other counties you represent.

Until there is a 3% appraisal cap on property taxes, we will not rest. You can talk about the Property Tax Accountability Act until you're blue in the face, but show me you mean it. Instead of the Senate killing it one session, and the house the next session.

I will be checking Tommy Williams property taxes to see if he anywhere near Friendswoodian in the sweet deals they get down there.

How many seniors will have to move out of there homes before you will listen Senator Williams. Not everyone has a bundle like you, owning Woodforest Financial Services and able to stick it to the little guy.

SUPPORT THE 3% PROPERTY CAP AND MEAN IT!!!

Conroe Underground endorses Pat Lennon for Montgomery City Council Position 1 runoff on May 7th

2005-04-20T21:56:00.000-05:00

The Courier's story "Mabry, Lennon face off in Montgomery City Council race." about the May 7th runoff election for Montgomery City Council Postion 1, has the old notion of nativism running about the contest.

Big deal if "Pat Lennon has [only] lived in the city of Montgomery for only five years." One can smell the endless possibilities for corruption when someone is touted as being from a "seventh generation of his family who has direct ties to the city," which Travis Mabry proudly proclaims.

One can understand Lennon's motivation for slow sustained growth, instead of letting Montgomery grow wildly out of control, which can lead to out of control population growth, which is currently happening in Pearland right now.

Mabry's indecision in initially even deciding to run again in the first place; coupled with the false support of his supporters rings volumes that some citizens of Montgomery would rather have a "puppet" in Position 1 rather than a strong voice for Montgomery, thus shaking up good 'ol boy system we have here.

Chronicle Attack on Radio Host and Lake Conroe resident blatant because of his support for property tax reduction

2005-04-19T18:46:00.000-05:00

The Houston Chronicle has chosen its side against the Montgomery County taxpayer in the fight to reduce property taxes. THEY VOTE AGAINST YOU!

The recent attack on Dan Patrick and the KSEV radio station is Brownshirtists on the part of the Chronicle, and makes sense from an organization that is hemorrhaging money, and pretty soon will have to give away its papers on the street to have a circulation. The allegation that Mr. Patrick was taking an Homestead exemption on both his main residence on Lake Conroe and his former residence in Cinco Ranch which he still maintains are crazy. I checked the records, and the home in Katy does not have a Homestead Exemption, while his main residence in the Estates of Walden does have a Homestead Exemption. Whether the Katy record was changed recently I do not know, but I can read Dan pretty well and believe him when he says that he took the proper steps in maintain his second home and requesting through proper channels that his Homestead Exemption be removed in Fort Bend County.

Dan Patrick is a fine upstanding God fearing man who understands consequences to actions, especially when applied to government. The inaction as applied to the scared Democrats and soft Republicans in the state legislature and their refusal to place a cap on property taxes will soon drive more elderly from their homes. The Senior Citizen's retirement checks don't rise as fast as property taxes.

The worthless staff at the Chronicle, the Democrats, and the soft Republicans (36 RINOs) know this, and yet attack Dan Patrick in a "potentially defamatory" article that is "journalism displayed" at its worst "by [Chronicle] reporter Dan Feldstein and the Houston Chronicle." The Chronicle's crimes and the story Radio Host billed for back taxes are reminders of communists newspapers censoring news to the masses, and verbally destroying those who get in the elites way.

NO MORE!!

If you haven't canceled your subscription to the Houston Chronicle, please stop what your doing and do it right now. Call the Subscriber Services Hot Line at (713) 220-7211 or 1-888-220-7211 from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and from 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and tell those lugheads you want to cancel your subscription immediately.

The Houston Chronicle is a complete waste of trees, and the world would be better off without the chronicle poluting our homes on a daily basis.

I also have to give credit to 16 Democrats in Austin that at least wanted to debate property tax caps, and now with the firestorm over killing the property tax caps, some Republicans are starting to feel the fire under their feet. Tommy Merritt (Longview), was quoted as "wanting to address the property tax cap for the "good of the party", which is political code for "saving his own tail."

36 RINOs Helping Democrats Keep Property Taxes High for the poor

2005-04-18T09:36:00.001-05:00

The Lonestar Times has reported the names of 36 RINOs - Republicans in name only, who have went against their party platform and downed property tax relief. Luckily, there were NO Republicans in the Houston area that did not support the 3% appraisal cap or they would have been history come next election. The RINOs are:

Ray Allen (Grand Prairie - DFW), Roy Blake (Nacogdoches), Dan Branch (Dallas), Carter Casteel (New Braunfels), Warren Chisolm (Pampa - Amarillo), Byron Cook (Corsicana), Myra Crownover (Denton - DFW), Dianne Delisi (Temple), Mary Denny (Denton - DFW), Joe Driver (Garland - DFW), Charlie Geren (Ft. Worth), Tony Goolsby (Dallas), Bob Griggs (Ft. Worth), Pat Haggerty (El Paso), Rick Hardcastle (Vernon), Linda Harper-Brown (Irving - DFW), Will Harnett (Dallas), Fred Hill (Richardson - DFW), Bob Hunter (Abilene), Delwin Jones (Lubbock), Terry Keel (Austin), Edmund Kuempel (Seguin), Jodi Laubenberg (Parker - DFW), Jerry Madden (Dallas), Brian McCall (Plano - DFW), Tommy Merritt (Longview), Geanie Morrison (Victoria), Anna Mowery (Ft. Worth), Rob Orr (Burleson), Elvira Reyna (Mesquite - DFW), Todd Smith (Euless - DFW), John Smithee (Amarillo), Burt Solomons (Dallas), David Swinford (Dumas), Vicki Truitt (Keller - DFW), Buddy West (Midland).

Now Dallas needs some convincing. WE WILL NOT FORGET ON THIS ONE.

But just underneath the pledge of the Houston/Montgomery County Republicans wanting to keep their places in the legislature, you have massive pressure from the school districts and superintendents, city councils, county commissioners, and their influencers from the Texas Association of Counties, Texas Municipal League and untold elitist sources. Most elected elitist at the county and lower levels are very beholding to the TAC and TML, and just ignore the non-elitist property owner.

When will officials learn more that property taxes affects the economy of the poor faster than it hurts anyone else.

Attention Conroe/Montgomery County Elitist

2005-04-17T13:21:00.000-05:00

The Underground is coming to Conroe. Elitist, if you believe that more and more of the property owners money is yours because you believe it is yours. You're wrong; and you will be attacked.

Santa Anna took no prisoners at the Alamo, so why should the non-elitists homeowners of Conroe and Montgomery County.

Publius is coming because he is fed up with elitist politicians who think their budgets cannot survive with one less dollar. We are tired by being nice, and now it's time to get ugly.

Have you heard of belt tightening? Have you heard of suffering or perhaps conservation?

No, the taxpayer has put up long enough with your inept performance for far to long, and it's time the public finally learns of your sins.