QUESTION: I know money for our tax rebate checks this year was borrowed from China. Where did the rebates that we got in 2001 come from?
ANSWER: The notion that the economic stimulus payment money would be borrowed from China may have started with Rep. Ron Paul's statement during an interview that Washington doesn't have any money, so "they either have to borrow from China or print it."
Payments are coming out of the general fund, which is already in a deficit, so the money will have to be borrowed from somewhere, but not necessarily China.
Back in the good ol' days, we had a budget surplus of about $280 billion. The 2001 payments were advances on that year's lowered tax liability, as rate reductions would start in July. The advance payments amounted to $38 billion. The Treasury Department borrowed the money from capital markets, as a temporary cash flow measure, but the funds eventually came from the surplus.
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Q: For senior citizens who pay property taxes, is it the tax rate or the dollar amount that is frozen? What happens when the appraised value changes?
A: School property tax freezes and voluntary freezes by other entities apply to the dollar amount you pay in the year you turn 65. School tax freezes are statutorily required. Cities and counties may voluntarily adopt freezes and exemptions for taxpayers over 65. You must apply for any exemption to which you are entitled — it is not automatic.
A change in the appraised value will not affect the dollar amount you pay in taxes. However, if you improve your home, for example by adding a room, the dollar amount may go up despite the freeze.
Gregg County and the city of Longview have voluntarily adopted an "over 65" freeze for their property tax payers, according to Tom Hays, chief appraiser for Gregg County Appraisal District.
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Q: If the LISD bond package passes, will any of the funds go toward improvements to the transportation building, bus maintenance or buses?
A: The bond funds would go only to education and to school buildings, not to transportation.
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Q: I hear LISD is putting pressure on its employees to vote yes in the upcoming school bond election, even asking them to find eight friends who will also vote yes. Is this illegal?
A: Encouraging employees to just vote is one thing, but telling them how they must vote is illegal. According to LISD spokesman Brian Bowman, it is against the law for the school district's administration and board to tell employees how to vote when they are on school property, during work hours. Bowman said he has been to every bond presentation and has heard all speakers start by saying that they can just present the facts, not tell employees how to vote. He has not heard any speaker tell employees how to vote.
The Election Code states that school board members "may not use state or local funds or other resources of the district to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure or political party." Another provision prohibits school district officers or employees from using "an internal mail system" for political advertising.
Bowman said officers and employees may campaign on their own time and with their own resources. He encourages being involved in a campaign to educate himself regarding filing requirements and advertising.
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Q: If the LISD bond passes, is it in the plans for the city to buy the Judson Middle School property, since they are buying up all that 500 acres there? Will they use it for city purposes?
A: The new Judson Middle School building would be built on the same land where it sits now. The land would not be sold to the city, according to Bowman.
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