Governor Rick Perry Sued; Lawsuit claims Governor Lacks Authority to Privatize and Toll Already Tax-Funded Public Highways
Austin, TX (ContentDesk) October 6, 2005 -- People for Efficient Transportation, Inc. filed a lawsuit today in the District Court of Travis County, on behalf of taxpayers throughout Texas against Governor Rick Perry. The lawsuit takes Gov. Perry to task, as the state's Chief Planning Officer, for allowing unlawful Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to allocate federal dollars, which includes allocating funds for Perry's plan to privatize and toll already tax funded Texas public highways.AUTHORITY TO ALLOCATE FEDERAL FUNDS IN QUESTIONGovernor Perry has mandated that MPOs shift the publics freeways into tollways across the state; however, the lawsuit claims Perry's MPO simply have no authority whatsoever to dispense funds for such an unpopular and unconstitutional scheme. That includes allocating tax dollars to Gov.
Perry's unelected, therefore unaccountable Regional Mobility Authoritys (RMAs) who will set the toll rates for already tax funded public highways. It's important to note that public highways have never been shifted to tollways in the history of the United States.LAWSUIT CLAIMS TEXAS CONSTITUTION VIOLATEDCapital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO - www.campotexas.org) and San Antonio Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAMPO - www.sametroplan.org) are also named in the suit as two of the many MPO boards in Texas that allegedly violate the Texas constitution. The constitution clearly states there must be a "separation of powers between the legislative and executive branch", however, the MPOs have legislators, yes, State Representatives and Senators, serving on these administrative boards.PET INC. FOUNDER SAYS DOUBLE TAX WITHOUT AUTHORITY"The Governor has no clothes," said PET officer and founder Sal Costello. "At this moment, a Texas law simply does not exist to allow Rick Perry to complete his plan of converting our public highways to tollways. Costello added, "Rick Perry's Double Tax tolling scheme takes existing public highway projects that are fully funded with gas tax dollars, some on the verge of completion, and turns them into toll roads at the last minute.
It's a double tax. It's morally and ethically wrong. The Governor is being deceptive when he tells the public that he won't toll existing highways. This deception allows billions of dollars worth of taxpayer-funded roads, and right of way in Texas to be shifted to toll roads, to hold Texas families hostage to pay a toll to drive to work, school or shop. On top of that, he's doing it without following Texas law.""The first leg of Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor (opposed by the Texas Republican Party platform) a 4,000 mile plan of supertollways, was approved by Capital Area MPO in 2000 without the MPO having one statute that allowed it to allocate tax dollars to the 130 Corridor just east of Austin."Sal Costello continued, "Gov.
Perry calls his scheme to toll our already tax funded roads 'innovative financing'. We call it Highway Robbery!"The lawsuit contends State Representatives and Senators are serving unconstitutionally on MPO boards, State Representative Terry Keel has stated there is "an inherent conflict of interest. A GOOD GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONBacked by outraged taxpayers throughout the state, PET Inc. is suggesting a good government solution
for what it calls "the current dysfunctional and unconstitutional MPOs": 1) Dismantle the current MPOs. 2) Replace the current MPOs (http://www.dot.state.tx.us/tpp/mpo/map.htm) with legal entities composed of seven-member boards serving two year terms. Texas citizens should elect five at large seats, the Governor appoints one member, and the local transit organization appoints the seventh member of each regional board.The Governor is coming under fire from some members of the press who see his scheme as bad for Texas.
Rick Perry's "innovative financing" made Texas Monthly's "Top 10 ways to Fix Texas. The article includes "Stop the toll road menace" at the #2 position. It states, "Turning planned freeways-thats freeways-into toll roads in urban areas and holding commuters hostage is downright un-American and un-Texan, Texas Monthly, 8/05.People for Efficient Transportation, Inc, is a nonpartisan grassroots watchdog organization seeking efficient transportation solutions, good government and accountability. PET is not opposed to traditional toll roads that are designed and built as whole new highways that complement free expressways. Traditional tollways are primarily funded with investor dollars. In contrast, "freeway tolls" are funded with tax dollars to create a revenue-generating machine that does not solve traffic congestion.
Freeway tolls shift public highways to tollways and hold drivers hostage to pay a fee to drive to work, school or play.People for Efficient Transportation, Inc. is represented in this suit by the Texas Legal Foundation and its President and General Counsel, former Texas Supreme Court Justice Steve Smith.Its clear where the Perry administration stands on toll roads. The Governor and his appointees want to turn a great many of our highways into tollways. Consider this quote from Ric Williamson who was appointed by Rick Perry to govern TXDOT: In your lifetime, most existing roads will have tolls. Contact: Sal Costello, Founder of PET Inc.Tel: 512/371-9926Email: e-mail protected from spam botsPeople for Efficient Transportation, Inc.9901 PO Box 90715Austin, TX 78709-0715District Court of Travis CountyCase Number: GN 503618????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????.
YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Now is the best time to start thinking about your year end tax planning. These tax strategies can be put into effect by the end of the year and some as late as when the tax return is due. Planning now will save you money and reduce your tax liability not only with your IRS taxes but also with your state taxes. Here are tax tips that will help you accomplish your goal. MINIMIZE YOUR CAPITAL GAINSReview your capital gains and losses for the year including taxable investment accounts and taxable real estate sales.
If you have net capital gains, you may want to sell some of your investments that have a loss to offset the gain. You should also check your 2003 tax return for any loss carry forwards to 2004.NEW SALES TAX DEDUCTIONNew in 2004 taxpayers who itemize deductions can now choose between claiming the state income tax or sales tax as a deduction. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining this sales tax deduction if tax payers don't keep their receipts throughout...
YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Tax help > YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Consolidate Debt With A Home Equity Loan
If you are a home owner who is having to borrow from Peter to pay Paul due to a mounting debt load, a debt consolidation home equity loan may be the answer. A debt consolidation loan will allow you to consolidate your high interest credit card and consumer loans into one low rate, affordable monthly payment.A debt consolidation home equity loan is a secured loan. Your home will be used as collateral and the lender will have a lien on your home until the loan is paid off. None the less if you are drowning in a sea of debt, a debt consolidation loan can give you a new financial start. It can help you avoid bankruptcy as well as end harassing creditor phone calls.
In addition, in most cases your monthly payment will be significantly lower freeing up cash that can be used for savings.It is important that once you obtain your debt consolidation loan that you cut up your credit cards and close out the accounts. This will help you to avoid the temptation of running up another debt load...
Consolidate Debt With A Home Equity Loan
Tax help > Consolidate Debt With A Home Equity Loan
2003 Year in Review - Trends and analysis of Employees' financial behavior.
City: San Francisco, CADate: March 2 2004Financial Finesse notes problematic trend in employee retirement issues Year In ReviewHelpline demographics in 2003Gender Ratios???64% Female???36% MaleCaller Type???97% Employees of corporate clients???3% Spouse/Partner2003 Call Duration:Average call length was 22.45 minutes with each caller in 2003. ??? Call Topic BreakdownTopic???Q1???Q2???Q3???Q4???2003Debt???39%???44%???45%???39%???42%Budgeting and Saving???15%???17%???14%???17%???16%Retirement Planning???12%???7%???10%???9%???10%Homeownership???5%???11%???9%???9%???8%Misc.*???7%???6%???8%???13%???8%Taxes???13%???6%???6%???7%???8%Finding a Financial Planner???6%???7%???4%???3%???5%Education Planning???3%???2%???4%???3%???3%* Misc. includes Estate Planning, Stock Options, Insurance and Investing 2003 Most Frequently Asked Questions (ranked by frequency)Debt1 How do I deal with my creditors?2 Am I a candidate for credit counseling?3 How can I refinance or consolidate my debt?4 Should I consider...
2003 Year in Review - Trends and analysis of Employees' financial behavior.
Tax help > 2003 Year in Review - Trends and analysis of Employees' financial behavior.
Becky Schmitz Receives Award as Top Tax Problem Solver
Billings, MT (ContentDesk) June 15, 2006 -- The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) is pleased to announce Becky Schmitz the recipient of the coveted ASTPS Top Practitioner Spring 2006 Award.The ASTPS Top Practitioner Award recognizes distinguished members for their exemplary professional accomplishments, dedication, and contributions to the organization and the profession.Becky submitted her first Tax Problem Resolution offer in 1994. For the past seven years she has devoted a substantial portion of her practice to tax problem resolution as a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist. She employs a staff of four in her firm, Cent$able Accounting, Inc., "The Tax Problem Solvers." She and her staff provide the customary array of tax preparation and tax planning services for individuals and businesses, in addition to Tax Problem Resolution.
The firm's website has a page - http://www.centsableaccounting.com/tax-services/...
Tax help > Becky Schmitz Receives Award as Top Tax Problem Solver
YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Now is the best time to start thinking about your year end tax planning. These tax strategies can be put into effect by the end of the year and some as late as when the tax return is due. Planning now will save you money and reduce your tax liability not only with your IRS taxes but also with your state taxes. Here are tax tips that will help you accomplish your goal. MINIMIZE YOUR CAPITAL GAINSReview your capital gains and losses for the year including taxable investment accounts and taxable real estate sales.
If you have net capital gains, you may want to sell some of your investments that have a loss to offset the gain. You should also check your 2003 tax return for any loss carry forwards to 2004.NEW SALES TAX DEDUCTIONNew in 2004 taxpayers who itemize deductions can now choose between claiming the state income tax or sales tax as a deduction. The IRS will provide optional tables for use in determining this sales tax deduction if tax payers don't keep their receipts throughout...
YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Tax help > YEAR END TAX PLANNING AND PREPARATION FOR INDIVIDUALS ? Tax Tips for 2004 including new tax relief due to the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004
Lake Champlain Chocolates Introduces Tanzania Chocolate Sauce
Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC), a gourmet Vermont chocolate maker, has introduced Tanzania Chocolate Sauce. Appealing to the growing number of chocolate connoisseurs in America, the all-natural sauce features 75% select origin chocolate from Tanzania. Arriving on retail store shelves now, the sauce is also available at www.lakechamplainchocolates.com. Made in small batches from the finest all-natural ingredients,...
Tax help Lake Champlain Chocolates Introduces Tanzania Chocolate Sauce Governor Rick Perry Sued; Lawsuit claims Governor Lacks Authority to Privatize and Toll Already Tax-Funded Public Highways
Tax help > Lake Champlain Chocolates Introduces Tanzania Chocolate Sauce