Gov. Rick Perry: Change State Constitution, Return Money to the People

Texas has a $8.8 billion surplus and Gov. Rick Perry (R) wants to change the state constitution so that excess tax revenues can be sent back to those who paid them. 

During his State of the State address, Perry told lawmakers that “Texas is not merely strong, but exceptional,” and monies should be returned to the people.

Perry asked lawmakers to pursue a constitutional amendment that allows them to “rebate to the taxpayers any excess tax receipts garnered during a two year budget period.”

Although it is unknown what the estimated rebate would be, and whether it would be a set amount for each taxpayer or reflective of the actual amount they paid in, it would be a rebate of property and sales taxes (Texas has no income tax).

Because Perry and Texas Republicans resisted the urge to find justifications for spending the excess monies on Democrat pet projects, legislators like Naomi R. Gonzalez (D-El Paso) were critical of all Perry’s plans. She accused Perry of being out of touch and said “her constituents’ concerns about how to make ends meet were unmentioned by the governor.”