New Year Begins With A Bang!

What to watch for in 2011:

-The continued hoarding of S20-30 million dollars of the FBISD budget for the planned non-campus based Global Science Museum at the district central office while the district deals with yet another possible record budget deficit (remember they have raised our taxes several times over the last 3-4 years to supposedly deal with this). All while discussing the possible closure of several schools in the district, more teacher cuts and other frontline service reductions.

-The county government pushing forward with the tolling of Texas 99 (Grand Parkway)--tolling ROW that the public has already paid for thus privatizing an already public road at taxpayers expense (Part of the former controversial TTC project).

-Continuation of several FBC cities dipping into "reserve funds" (monies redirected to alternate accounts for later use from bond debt elections) to maintain the public perception of "balanced budgets". This directly impacts the operations budget via the debt service portion (larger amounts are needed to retire debt thus forcing increases in property taxes). Missouri City currently engages in this practice as do other local taxing entities.

-School board & local city elections (several challenges coming to machine candidates-->of special interest, the Missouri City district races and FBISD BOT races-->they should be fun to watch this year).

-And watch local efforts at the legislative level at reforming practices and curbing abuse in some HOAs.

-More high density apartments coming to areas in Missouri Cities ETJ and within the Sugar Land area (several locations). This type of land use, when excessive, often carries less property taxes and leads to continued over-crowding in some schools, increased traffic, density, crime and a lower quality of life.

Stay informed and keep in touch in 2011!