TEXAS HOUSE BILL 3 WON'T BALANCE, SAYS STATE COMPTROLLER

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (yes, the one that's Little Scotty's mom) says House Bill 3 won't generate enough revenue to make up for its school property tax cuts. In fact, she says it falls billions short of doing so.

An angry Speaker Tom Craddick accused Mrs. Strayhorn of either "playing politics" or being "inept."

Her tart response: "My heart goes out to them. They just passed the largest tax bill in history, and it does not balance."

Mrs. Strayhorn's report cited flaws in the bill's revamped business franchise tax, the chief measure designed to raise money in place of a one-third cut in property taxes. She said it leaves too many loopholes and options and does not ensure each business would pay a minimum amount of taxes.

How amusing to watch Texas Republicans cannibalizing themselves. Couldn't happen to a sweeter bunch of people.