Bullock Texas State History Museum
Think Taxes Not Tacos
RECEIVED Wed., Oct. 4, 2006
Dear Editor,
Re: “Tough Tacos” [“Point Austin,” News, Sept. 29]: I work Downtown, and I have eaten at Las Manitas a few times. I moved to Austin in 1981, the same year the cafe opened. I just don't see this place as worthy of so much attention. I very much admire Gus Garcia, but in my opinion there are better restaurants in the area. I won't mention names since they are already too crowded at lunch. The bigger issue to me is the impact on the vast majority of Austin residents who never set foot in the place but pay property taxes. Check the Travis Central Appraisal District information on the properties in question, and compare them to the others recently developed nearby. The way I see it the property owners will pay significantly more when the property is developed. Several million more dollars in tax revenue for Austin schools seems like a pretty good reason to support this development, especially given the concessions already offered by the owners to the renters. I have urged our City Council to support an equitable solution that represents the majority of the city's citizens/taxpayers. I haven't seen a dime from the property-tax cut promised by the Republicans, but I can do the math on this issue.
Re: “Tough Tacos” [“Point Austin,” News, Sept. 29]: I work Downtown, and I have eaten at Las Manitas a few times. I moved to Austin in 1981, the same year the cafe opened. I just don't see this place as worthy of so much attention. I very much admire Gus Garcia, but in my opinion there are better restaurants in the area. I won't mention names since they are already too crowded at lunch. The bigger issue to me is the impact on the vast majority of Austin residents who never set foot in the place but pay property taxes. Check the Travis Central Appraisal District information on the properties in question, and compare them to the others recently developed nearby. The way I see it the property owners will pay significantly more when the property is developed. Several million more dollars in tax revenue for Austin schools seems like a pretty good reason to support this development, especially given the concessions already offered by the owners to the renters. I have urged our City Council to support an equitable solution that represents the majority of the city's citizens/taxpayers. I haven't seen a dime from the property-tax cut promised by the Republicans, but I can do the math on this issue.
Glen Shield
