ustxtxb_obs_1979_03_02_50_00032-00000_000.pdf

[Congratulations on clear, comprehensive coverage of the proposal to raise the ceiling on mortgage interest \(Obs ., Feb. In mentioning the income tax subsidy for homeowners, Durward Curlee failed to mention that the deduction is claimed by only a fraction of the families paying for mortgage financing. They must itemize deductions to claim it. Unless all the items they can list on Schedule A amount to more than $3,200 \(on a joint’ subsidy. The consumer may or may not realize these limitations. Margaret Carter Fort Worth Taxing solar devices ti It’s not often that I edit the Observer’s copy, but the article “Something good” \(Obs., You reported that State Sen. Bob Vale has introduced legislation to exempt solar energy devices from the state sales tax. His bill, SB 204, in fact exempts such devices and wind energy devices from ad valorem taxes. Former Rep. Lane Denton helped pass the sales tax exemption in 1975. But while you are on sales taxes for solar devices, I thought you’d like to know that we are revising our Rule .065 on solar energy to clarify the exemption. The revised rule, will more clearly state that component parts of solar energy devices, as well as the devices themselves, qualify for the exemption. This will remove any discrimination between factory-built and homemade devices and will place experimental models on the same level as established technology. You may want to encourage your readers to give us their comments on the rule change. Bob Bullock Comptroller of Public Accounts Austin Fallen politicians’ relief? Is there some reason for the proposal from a few Texas legislators to build a new state prison on the Mexican border? Surely none of those folks is afraid of getting caught and already planning an easier escape. . . Are they? Couldn’t we save on transportation costs, instead, by building it at about 15th Street in Austin? Perhaps the proposal should be called the “Fallen Politicians’ Relief Act.” H. Evans Austin ACORN & tax reform In regard to a Political Intelligence article “Exposed roots” \(Ohs., Dec. 29, tant point. Although Paul Jennings is correct that Texas ACORN cannot and will not support tax limitation, the Gulf Coast ACORN executive board voted unanimously at its December meeting to take a position neither in opposition nor support of the current tax protest group proposals. This was done in an effort to force the city to provide a progressive tax reform alternative. As Jennings accurately points out, Texas ACORN’s concern is that the city address the question of equity. We will be working with tax protest group people to insure that the city comes up with a fair and equitable tax plan. Should the city feel that the tide is turning against the tax protest group proposal, they will try to defeat it at the polls. With no hope of a progressive reform alternative, the taxpayers of Houston will suffer! Fred and Carrie Estes Gulf Coast ACORN executive board Houston Lifting the lid Your commentary “Keeping the lid on the prisons” \(Obs., came to my attention but still prompts me to write to congratulate you for not taking the easy way out in accepting the word of prison officials as gospel. It was disheartening to many of us who are incarcerated in the Texas Department of Corrections to witness the media’s handling of the events you related. Although my imprisonment is on a unit which was not involved directly in the strikes, we were all well aware of what was happening. The inaccuracy of the media in reporting events and in seeming to rely almost solely upon “news releases” from TDC actually appeared to be the result of overt collusion. However, amid all of this apparent “cover-up” journalism, you have come along and made known that you just aren’t buying it. Your commentary was like a breath of fresh air to all of us who’ve had an opportunity to read it. A TDC inmate Huntsville IF YOU ARE an occasional reader and would like to receive The Texas Observer regularlyor if you are a subscriber and would like to have a free sample copy or a one-year gift subscription sent to a friend here’s the order form: SEND THE OBSERVER TO name address city state zip this subscription is for myself gift subscriptionsend card in my name sample copy onlyyou may use my name $14 enclosed for a one-year subscription bill me for $14 MY NAME & ADDRESS THE TEXAS OBSERVER 600 W. 7th, Austin, Texas 78701 classified FREEWHEELING BICYCLES. 2404 San Gabriel, Austin. For whatever your bicycle needs. BOOK-HUNTING? No obligation search for rare or out-of-print books. Ruth and John 8, Box 173, Austin 78703. TYPING. Can’t do it yourself? Or don’t have the time? Professional typing at reasonable rates in Austin or by mail around the state. JOIN THE ACLU. Membership $20. Texas Civil Liberties Union, 600 West 7th, Austin 78701. BINGO A FELONY? Send S.A.S.E. Tasar, Box 50667, Dallas 75250. SUPPORT CAPITAL EYE. Send donations to 1005 International Life Building, Austin 78701. BACKPACKING MOUNTAINEERING RAFTING. Outback Expeditions, P.O. Box THE SAN ANTONIO Democratic League meets the first Thursday of each month. For information, call Jim Bode at 344-1497. TEEN AND PRE-TEEN educational pro grams solicited. Opinions, authorities, etc. Glenn Abercrombie, Section A, VA Center, Temple 76501. Classified advertising is 30 per word. Discounts for multiple insertions within a 12, month period: 25 times, 50 percent; 12 time#,i, 25 percent; 6 times, 10 percent. ‘Dialogue Subsidy for the well-off 32 MARCH 2, 1979