Now here's something that makes sense (calling "fees" taxes)

**Alundil** · 12-07-10, 11:43 AM

I think it long overdue that the ever increasing fees, that we're all subjected to, and magically appearing new ones are accurately labeled for what they are......TAXES.

This proposal is only affecting Texas, but it is one that I can agree with as far as I've seen to this point.

Democratic Rep. to File Bill to Call Fees Taxes — 2011 Budget Shortfall | The Texas Tribune

Republican leaders in the Texas Legislature have already declared 2011 a no-new-taxes legislative session. With that in mind, one Democratic lawmaker wants to make sure his House colleagues are using the right definition of the word "tax."

State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, plans to file a constitutional proposition that would classify fees, surcharges and other revenue-generating measures as taxes. With the state facing an estimated $15 billion to $28 billion budget shortfall, Raymond expects that lawmakers will look to those money-making methods to help close the gap. "Before you go starting to double or triple or quadruple what somebody pays for a driver's license, for a birth certificate, for a hunting license," he says, "I think we need to be honest with the people and call them taxes."

**flame** · 12-07-10, 05:15 PM

I support this! DOnt have time to read the whole article but it sounds good. Lets be honest, its out of pocket expense going to the state. I would rather a small sales tax increase instead of a fee increases on everything.