The Republicans always run on cutting taxes, not taxes that the state raises, but the ones that our local governments depend on to fund the police, fire, to maintain our streets, pick up our garbage, etc. However, Republicans never run on cutting taxes on our state’s bloated budget, which they often use to help the billionaires and millionaires who donate to their campaign coffers.
In Texas, the costs from Winter Storm Uri (HB 1520) are being paid by natural gas and electric customers through securitization bonds, spread out over many years (until around 2039), meaning consumers pay more over time via small monthly charges, not all at once, with varying impacts depending on utility and usage. Some schools and electric cooperatives also have specific aid or debt recovery plans.
Who Pays & How:
- Natural Gas Customers: Utility companies (like Texas Gas Service, CenterPoint) passed on extraordinary gas costs via securitization, adding charges to bills over 16+ years to make it manageable.
- Electric Customers: Similar mechanisms allowed electric cooperatives (like Tri-County) and other providers to recover costs, affecting customer bills.
- Electric Cooperatives: SB 1580 allowed co-ops (which are customer-owned) to use securitization for their storm costs, passing them to members via small fees.
- Schools & Charters: HB 1525 allowed for one-time disaster aid reimbursement for remediation costs.
The Bottom Line for You:
Impact varies: The amount depends on your provider and energy usage (e.g., if you’re all-electric, you don’t pay gas utility costs)
You’re paying for it: The legislature allowed utilities to bond out these massive costs, meaning customers are responsible, not the companies.
It’s on your bill: Look for a “securitization charge” or similar line item on your gas or electric bill.
It lasts a long time: Expect these charges for many years (e.g., until 2039).
Democrats should propose that the State share in the joy of doing more with less that the State forces on local governments, the ones that actually provide the services we need.
Democrats need to propose eliminating sales taxes on essential items. The following is just a small example; I’m sure that some creative mind could think of more.
- Toilet paper,
- Soap, for body, clothes, and dishes,
- Gasoline,
- Electricity and Gas,
- Help small businesses, such as restaurants, get rid of the sales tax placed on food orders,
- Frozen prepared foods for microwave or oven:
