We heard from Tom Pauken last night at the Dallas County North Republican Club monthly meeting. On hand were state representative Fred Hill, Richardson mayor Gary Slagel, and Richardson council members Steve Mitchell, Bob Townsend, John Murphy, who are all more or less oppose to the recommendations put forth by the Texas Task Force on Appraisal Reform, chaired by Tom. The one recommendation that created the most heated discussion is the lowering of appraisal cap from 8% to 5%. Anything more than 5%, the taxing entity must put on the ballot for the voters' approval. I think it's reasonable, given that an additional half percent of sales tax will be allowed as a replacement source of revenue.

There are many components to the property tax. Taxing entities include the city, the county, the independent school district, the county community college district, Parkland hospital district. Parkland hospital is the one problem unique to Dallas county. None of the surrounding counties has public hospital so Dallas county residents have to shoulder the cost for all the indigent people coming into Parkland, in addition to who knows how many illegal aliens giving birth there. Other than the hospital district, the schools takes anywhere between 65% to 85% of the property tax, depends on which city you live within Dallas county.

A group of singles at our church will be on a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise in September. There are some really good deals can be had on cruise.com.

An interesting website airliners.net.