There is an interesting dichotomy in a couple of the Legislature’s budget decisions.
One way the Legislature proposes to collect more money is by stealing $265 million from impact fees paid to cities and counties.
At the same time, the Legislature is planning to hand out a $250 million tax break – mostly to businesses.
The state House budget plan would permanently wipe off the books a statewide property tax. The tax was put on hiatus for three years when the state had budget surpluses and was scheduled to return next year.
But instead of letting the tax go back into effect just in time to help address record deficits, lawmakers now say they want to repeal it.
Here’s a better idea: Keep the tax in place and let cities and counties keep their impact fee money.