Supreme Court Holds Very Interactive Hearing on Franchise Tax Challenge This morning the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Allcat Claims Service petition alleging the reformed franchise (“margin”) tax violates what is popularly known as the “Bullock Amendment” [Art. VIII, Sec. 24(a)] of the Texas Constitution because it imposes a tax on a natural…

October 20, 2011 One More Challenge to the Constitutionality of the Franchise (Margin) Tax Yesterday, a second petition challenging the constitutionality of the reformed Franchise Tax was filed in the Supreme Court. It alleges: 1. Whether the Texas franchise tax violates the Equal and Uniform Clause of the Texas Constitution, either as applied or facially….

Anticipated School Finance Lawsuit Filed The long-anticipated school finance lawsuit being coordinated by The Equity Center was filed in Travis County District Court late yesterday (Monday, October 10). The suit was filed on behalf of the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, a group of school districts, taxpayers and students. Lead school districts are Hillsboro…

Ways and Means Committee Meets (Again) The House Ways and Means Committee held its second meeting of the legislative interim this morning. Two items were on the agenda: 1) an overview of the state’s tax system by John Heleman, Chief Revenue Estimator for Comptroller Susan Combs, and 2) a review of current franchise tax exemptions…

September 28, 2011 Let the Tax Studies Begin: House Ways and Means Meets Chairman Hilderbran held the first of what is expected to be many interim hearings of the House Ways and Means Committee this morning in Austin. The committee is getting an early start, as interim charges have yet to be assigned by Speaker…