Texas is one of seven states without a state income tax — and Lone Star voters will soon decide on adopting even stricter language to ban one in the constitution.
Implementing an individual income tax requires a referendum by voters, which can be approved by a simple majority in both chambers of the state legislature. On the ballot, Proposition 4 calls for "prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual's share of partnership and unincorporated association income."
Critics say this is an unnecessary barrier for future generations of Texans. Supporters want to virtually guarantee Texas will never have a personal income tax.
Given the state's many demands for public funding, how is the tax burden impacting Texans and how does the state shape up compared to the rest of the country?
Does it make sense to pass a state constitutional amendment on a policy that does not currently exist? Is the Prop 4 question confusing to voters?
What do Texans need to know before filling out their ballot? Early voting for the Nov. 5 statewide elections starts on Monday, Oct. 21.
Guests:
- State Representative Jeff Leach (R-Plano)
- State Sen. Pat Fallon (R-Prosper)
- Dick Lavine, senior fiscal analyst for the Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Mikael Garcia, director of legislative affairs for the Texas Public Policy Foundation
- Janelle Cammenga, policy analyst for The Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C.
This is a Texas Public Radio special broadcast airing at 7 p.m. Central on Monday, October 21. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 800-622-8977, email townhall@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
