Tough times or not, tax break for yachts steams ahead

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http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2011/04/tough_times_or.html

As some lawmakers look high and low for money to ease cutbacks in education and human services, the House Ways and Means Committee has approved a tax break for big yachts.

The committee voted 8-3 Thursday for House Bill 2187, which Rep. John Davis, R-Houston, casts as an effort to preserve the economic activity that goes along with having big yachts purchased and kept here.

Other states -- most notably Florida -- have limited their yacht taxes and Davis said that means Texas is losing out on sales and service.

Davis' bill initially would have limited the the amount of boat tax to $15,625 -- the amount normally due on a $250,000 vessel -- regardless of sales price. He changed that to match Florida's $18,000 maximum.

The bill next goes to the full House, where Davis said he's optimistic about its chances.

Voting against the bill in committee were Reps. Wayne Christian, R-Center; Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio; and Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio.

Villarreal expressed astonishment at the bill at an earlier hearing, saying when he felt as though he had wandered through the Twilight Zone.

Twilight Zone is about right.

[thanks_imjustlurking]

1. They're doing everything in the world except raising any revenue. nt

[plumbob]

2. Ya know, I couldn't sleep last night for worrying that yacht owners

might not have enough tax breaks!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that my legislators are looking out for them! Now I can sleep safe and sound each night!!!

[white cloud]

3. Remind me of George the Worst and

his gas guzzler tax break.

100,000 rate 15%

200,000 rate 20%

500,000 rate 30%


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5. I'd almost forgotten about that one.

Good grief!

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4. LOL! n/t