Texas is proof you can

Depending on the source, after he signed his new contract, Tony Romo is the fifth or sixth highest paid player in the National Football League (NFL). What is undisputed is, after taxes he is the highest paid player in the NFL.
Regardless what you think about Romo, he benefits from living and working in one of the six states that have no state income tax. To tell you the truth, we all do. I understand we have “hidden fees” that the state uses to create revenue, but the other states have those same fees and in some cases even more. That is why the Texas business climate is so attractive compared to most other states. California is projecting an approximate $125 billion shortfall in funds to run their state while Texas is projecting an $8.8 billion surplus. People and their businesses are leaving states with excessive taxes. That information should not come as a surprise to the leaders of these states. California has a 12.3 percent state income tax rate on salaries over $500,000. The vast majority of people making in excess of $500,000 are people who own or run businesses. Plus, if you go over $1 million a year the rate jumps an addition 1 percent. No wonder professional athletes who can are leaving for tax friendly states.
Gov. Rick Perry, to his credit, has been to California to poach as many businesses as possible, and his argument for coming to Texas makes financial   sense. That move is great for all these people who make mega bucks, but how about you and me? Do you have extra 5 to 7 percent of your salary you can afford to give to the state? For most of us, the answer would be no. It is no secret that Texas is the largest oil and natural gas producer in the country. Many people assume that is the reason we have no state income tax, but New Mexico, Louisiana and Oklahoma all have around a 5 percent income tax and they are our closest neighbors and major players in oil production.
All I can tell you is our state government (both Democrats and Republicans) have done us a great service by not caving several years ago and implementing a state income tax. Many people will tell you that you can`t lower taxes and kick start the economy; Texas is proof you can.
 
•Ninety-nine percent of all Dallas Cowboy fans will tell you that either Roger Staubach or Troy Aikman was the best Cowboy quarterback ever, with the other being second best. The next best quarterbacks would be a distant third. While I agree Staubach and Aikman deserve their lofty perches, Tony Romo is not far behind. Before all you grandmothers start cussing me like a stray dog, let me explain. Staubach and Aikman were great quarterbacks surrounded by great teammates, and that is why both won multiple Super Bowls. Being elected into the NFL Hall of Fame (HOF) is open to only the best of the best players. Staubach had six HOF players on his team and Aikman had four; both had several more “all-pros” scattered across their teams. Romo is looking like he may have one teammate to make the HOF. This whole situation is like the Manning family. Both Peyton and Eli have an excellent chance of making the HOF while their father, Archie, was probably just as good, but suffered from being trapped on a terrible team his whole career. If Staubach or Aikman (in their prime) had quarterbacked last year`s Cowboy`s team, their record would have been worse. If you don`t agree, write in with your opinion, and I will tell you why you are wrong.
•Happy, happy, happy, pretty much describes Drew Lawton as he was named the winner of one the many door prizes given at the Duck Dynasty performance at Northeast Texas Community College last Saturday night. Lawton won an autographed duck call (not sure who signed it) and was grinning from ear to ear. His mom Elizabeth quickly told him it wasn`t a toy and put up in a special place. Those mothers can be joy killers at times. Don’t you know Drew wanted to show his friends? How many of you remember when Elizabeth was still fun?
•Phil Robertson and Mrs. Kay headlined the “Duck Dynasty” night last Saturday night at NTCC. Phil and his family shared their conservative religious views to a sold out Whatley Center. I`m not sure that is what most people expected, but like my great nephew Pryce Parker said, “I didn`t understand everything he (Phil) said, but wasn`t it a blast to see them in person?” Yes it was.
•Chelsea Clinton claims she may run for office; I didn`t know she was having a hard time dating.
•For an American to travel to Cuba, special permission has to be given by the U.S. government. Journalistic, academic or humanitarian situations are usually the only time these permissions are given. Representatives Ilean Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart want to know how Beyonce and Jay-Z were allowed to travel there for their fifth anniversary. Are you kidding? I`m surprised Obama and Michelle weren`t there too.