Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

April 11, 2007

Congressman talks taxpayers’ rights in Athens

By Rich Flowers

U.S. Representative Jeb Hensarling met with members of the Athens Noon Kiwanis Club Tuesday to discuss an American Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

Hensarling said with the April 15 income tax filing deadline coming, Americans are feeling the bite of a federal government that over the past 50 years has taken an increasingly large chunk of the family income.

“The federal budget has outgrown the family budget over that period five to one. That’s unsustainable over time,” Hensarling said. “Conservatives believe if your budget is growing three or four percent why should the federal governments budget grow seven, eight or nine percent?” Hensarling said.

Hensarling said if Americans would pass a spending limitation amendment to the Constitution, Congress would be forced to make some hard decisions concerning where it spends the billions of dollars in tax revenues at its disposal each year.

“Out of the roughly 10,000 federal programs, spread over 600 agencies, we’ll start to make those decisions,” Hensarling said. Some of the programs funded today have outlived their usefulness, while others may have been conceived with good intentions but have failed to achieve their purpose, Hensarling said.

According to Hensarling, the taxpayer bill of rights has four points:

• Taxpayers have a right to have a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it.

• Taxpayers have a right to receive back each dollar that they entrust to the government for their retirement.

• Taxpayers have a right to expect the government to balance the budget without having their taxes raised.

• Taxpayers have a right to a simple, fair tax code that they can understand.

Text Only
Local News
  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos

  • Witnesses aid in suspects’ capture

    Timing is everything, and one would-be burglar apparently didn't have it during a burglary at a home on North Murchison Street near Athens.
    Witnesses saw the burglary as it was happening, and one homeowner, Billy Stewart, fired three rounds at the burglar, as he was driving off his property with a stolen yellow 4-wheeler.

    May 24, 2012

  • Ariel Reeder.JPG Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    Ariel Reeder and Sam Harrell have been chosen respectively as Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Athens Christian Preparatory Academy.  More will be announced from other area schools in future issues.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • Mayor.JPG GBC mayor official after vote canvassing

    GUN BARREL  CITY — It's official now.
    There's a new mayor in Gun Barrel City, thanks to the canvassing of votes at Tuesday night's regularly-scheduled city council meeting.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • VocalTrashinKaufman (3).JPG Recycled art gets attention

    Last Saturday, the Lost Treasures Found Art Event, held in the Kaufman Town Square,  gave people a chance to see real examples of exactly how items we might typically throw out, could be used in a new way or recycled into art that could be treasured for a lifetime instead.
     

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Alexis #2.JPG Dogs waiting for homes


    The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is proud to spotlight four dogs and  one puppy this week in their never ending quest to find “furrever” homes for pets.
     Alexis is a  one and half year old white female small husky/Spitz mix. She is spayed, housebroken and good with kids but needs to be the only dog, or time to adjust to other dogs. Alexis was at the shelter for 3 months and is now in a foster home, waiting for her new family. She is very playful, loves her squeaky toys and has a lot of energy. 

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0030.JPG SLIDE SHOW -Cedar Creek Women's Club fashion show Bealls Department Store in Gun Barrel City held a fashion show for the women who attended the monthly luncheon at Cedar Creek Country Club.

    May 23, 2012