Bay Area Citizen - News
Cities net $4.2M in sales tax rebates
By MARY ALYS CHERRY
The cities around Clear Lake found themselves some $4.2 million richer in August when the state returned rebates from July tax collections.
Two municipalities received tax rebates in excess of $1 million each. State Comptroller Susan Combs sent $1,039,006 to League City, one of the area's largest cities, and $1,349,045 to Webster, which is rich in restaurants and hotels.
And, while the media talks recession, there is little evidence of that so far here or in Texas, for that matter.
"Through July, fiscal 2008 state sales tax collections are up 6.5 percent," Combs said. "The Texas economy remains strong; however, we continue to monitor the slower growth seen nationally."
Combs said the state collected $1.8 billion in sales tax revenue in July, up 10.4 percent compared to one year ago.
Most area tax rebates showed hefty gains, both for July and the year to date.
Kemah's tax rebates, for example, were up 46.39 percent for the month and 14 percent for the year to date, compared with last year.
League City was up 32 percent compared with last July and up nearly 29 percent for the year. Houston, of which Clear Lake City is a part, earned $48 million in tax rebates -- an increase of 8.38 percent for the month, when compared with last year -- and has been sent $338 million this year, a 7.29 percent increase over last year.
July totals for nearby cities include $2.3 million to Pasadena, $1.1 million to Baytown, $484,000 to La Porte, $1.8 million to Galveston, $1.8 million to Pearland and $521,000 to Alvin.
Combs said July sales tax revenue and August allocations represent sales taxes collected in June by businesses.
Monthly rebate payments in the Bay Area and the year-to-date total and percentage increase or decrease follow:
Clear Lake Shores -- $155,102 (8.05), $1,200,016 (10.49);
Dickinson -- $511,889 (3.0), $3,182,965 (-0.05);
El Lago -- $12,101 (-13.49), $85,483 (10.73);
Friendswood -- $403,972 (-2.01), $2,506,644 (-5.19);
Houston -- $48.1 million (8.38), $337.9 million (7.29);
Kemah -- $409,601 (46.39), $2,111,642 (14.10);
League City -- $1,039,006 (31.89), $6,757,424 (28.73);
Nassau Bay -- $69,430 (-0.53), $448,549 (9.17);
Seabrook -- $248,627 (17.41), $1,684,779 (24.53);
Taylor Lake Village -- $4,473 (7.05), $31,478 (5.02);
Webster -- $1,349,045 (6.51), $10,017,856 (1.61).
Two municipalities received tax rebates in excess of $1 million each. State Comptroller Susan Combs sent $1,039,006 to League City, one of the area's largest cities, and $1,349,045 to Webster, which is rich in restaurants and hotels.
And, while the media talks recession, there is little evidence of that so far here or in Texas, for that matter.
"Through July, fiscal 2008 state sales tax collections are up 6.5 percent," Combs said. "The Texas economy remains strong; however, we continue to monitor the slower growth seen nationally."
Combs said the state collected $1.8 billion in sales tax revenue in July, up 10.4 percent compared to one year ago.
Most area tax rebates showed hefty gains, both for July and the year to date.
Kemah's tax rebates, for example, were up 46.39 percent for the month and 14 percent for the year to date, compared with last year.
League City was up 32 percent compared with last July and up nearly 29 percent for the year. Houston, of which Clear Lake City is a part, earned $48 million in tax rebates -- an increase of 8.38 percent for the month, when compared with last year -- and has been sent $338 million this year, a 7.29 percent increase over last year.
July totals for nearby cities include $2.3 million to Pasadena, $1.1 million to Baytown, $484,000 to La Porte, $1.8 million to Galveston, $1.8 million to Pearland and $521,000 to Alvin.
Combs said July sales tax revenue and August allocations represent sales taxes collected in June by businesses.
Monthly rebate payments in the Bay Area and the year-to-date total and percentage increase or decrease follow:
Clear Lake Shores -- $155,102 (8.05), $1,200,016 (10.49);
Dickinson -- $511,889 (3.0), $3,182,965 (-0.05);
El Lago -- $12,101 (-13.49), $85,483 (10.73);
Friendswood -- $403,972 (-2.01), $2,506,644 (-5.19);
Houston -- $48.1 million (8.38), $337.9 million (7.29);
Kemah -- $409,601 (46.39), $2,111,642 (14.10);
League City -- $1,039,006 (31.89), $6,757,424 (28.73);
Nassau Bay -- $69,430 (-0.53), $448,549 (9.17);
Seabrook -- $248,627 (17.41), $1,684,779 (24.53);
Taylor Lake Village -- $4,473 (7.05), $31,478 (5.02);
Webster -- $1,349,045 (6.51), $10,017,856 (1.61).
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