McCourt defies Texas Constitution, votes on tax rate

McLennan Commissioners' Court raised tax revenues before holding public hearings

Reporting by R.S. Gates
Story by The Legendary Jim Parks

Waco - The Texas Constitution prescribes public hearings any time a local government raises tax revenues. Here is the story of how the county commissioners raised revenues without seeking public approval.


Total revenues will be higher in Fiscal Year 2012 because of an across the board re-appraisal of property values in McLennan County, an end run on taxpayers who want to see lower public spending and no new taxes.

Similarly, tax revenues have resulted in a surplus of $27.6 million over the past 5 years, according to figures obtained in a Public Information Act Request by "The Legendary."

God bless Texas! - (click here for a method interpretation)