Leander council to discuss idea for real estate transaction tax

From statesman, February 4, 2009...

Leander Mayor John Cowman’s hope to establish a real estate transaction tax within the city seems to be gaining little traction, if any at all.

He’s floated the proposal, which would take 0.5 percent from real estate sales and and spend it on public works projects, to the staff of a couple of lawmakers. But he hasn’t received any commitments to sponsor legislation that would allow cities that use sales tax revenue to pay for public transportation, like Leander, to charge the tax.

And, Cowman said, he isn’t sure how committed the rest of the council is in backing the proposal. He also says he’s aware that the real estate industry would likely not support such a proposal.

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