LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM MAYOR SCARCELLA OF STAFFORD, TEXAS
Not linked on Ron Paul’s Congressional Website.
HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Friday, June 19, 2009
2009 Ron Paul 74:1
Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, public officials
looking for ways to increase economic growth
and attract new residents and businesses to
their cities, counties, or states could learn a lot
from the city of Stafford, Texas, and Mayor
Leonard Scarcella. Stafford has flourished
since 1995 when, under Mayor Scarcella’s
leadership, the city eliminated the property tax.
2009 Ron Paul 74:2
Thanks to the absence of property taxes,
Stafford residents enjoy cheaper mortgages
and have more disposable income than similarly
situated residents of towns with property
taxes. The extra income as a result of the
freedom from property taxes is particularly
beneficial during today’s tough economic
times.
2009 Ron Paul 74:3
The loss of property tax revenue has not
deprived Stafford residents of quality city services;
in fact, Stafford resident Alice Rolston
told the Houston Chronicle that the police
check on her home when she is on vacation,
many homeowners living in towns with high
property taxes can’t count on that type of service.
2009 Ron Paul 74:4
Entrepreneurs looking to start up businesses
are attracted to Stafford because of
the lack of property taxes, Fortune magazine
ranks Stafford the 36th best American city to
start and run a small business.
2009 Ron Paul 74:5
While Stafford sales, franchise, and permit
fees account for some of its ability to operate
without a property tax, the major factor in the
city’s success is the city’s fiscally prudent
management. Stafford Councilman Cecil Willis
says the mayor watches every penny in the
city’s budget. City employees often perform
two or more functions and the city council
even debates whether to authorize the purchase
of light bulbs and pencils.
2009 Ron Paul 74:6
Madam Speaker, Mayor Scarcella is also a
good argument against term limits, as he is
one of the few elected officials who remains
as committed to low taxes today as when he
led the fight to eliminate the property tax.
Mayor Scarcella should serve as a role model
to us all in how to effectively govern without
burdening the people with excessive taxes.
