Archives for October 2007

NELDA ASKS WASHINGTON TO STOP PRIVATIZATION SCHEME

Nelda has asked Texas senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to back a measure approved by the U.S. House last week that will end a program that steers public resources to private debt collectors so that they can pursue minor amounts owed by individual citizens and small businesses. The bill is expected to hit the U.S. Senate soon.

“This is a bad idea that wastes tax dollars and exposes citizens to harassment by private debt collectors,” Nelda wrote.

View the press release here.

Having compiled the best tax collection rate of any county office in Texas, Nelda noted that the IRS is one of the biggest and best-funded bureaucracies on earth.

“If they need some advice about how to do a better job, we’d be happy to help,” she wrote. “But privatization isn’t the solution.” More…

SPEARS CALLS ON TEXAS SENATORS TO BACK MEASURE ENDING PRIVATIZATION OF TAX COLLECTION EFFORTS

Travis Co. Tax Collector With State’s Top Collection Rate Says Privatization Costs Jobs, Tax Dollars

(AUSTIN) — Travis County Tax Collector Nelda Wells Spears, having compiled the best tax collection rate of any county office in the state, today called on Texas senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to back a measure approved by the U.S. House on Wednesday to end a program that funds private debt collectors so that they can pursue taxes owed to the federal government by individual citizens and small businesses.

“Steering public resources into private hands is a bad idea that wastes tax dollars and exposes citizens to harassment by private debt collectors,” Spears said. “The House did the right thing in voting to end this scheme, and I hope our state’s two senators will, too.”

Spears said the U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to end the Republican-backed program, which was enacted in 2004. Yesterday’s bill passed with a wide 232-173 majority and is supported by taxpayer advocates concerned about misuse of citizens’ personal financial information. More…

Nelda is hosting a day of community outreach!

October 7, 2007

The deadline to register to vote in next month’s important constitutional amendments election is Tuesday, October 9.  Come join neighborhood groups, local business owners, houses of worship, student organizations, fraternities and sororities, civic groups, elected officials, and our hardworking volunteer voter registrars to help sign up as many eligible voters as possible!

Where?
5501 Airport Blvd.
When?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
4:00 PM-11:00 PM

A RECORD-SETTER SETS ANOTHER RECORD!

Under Nelda Wells Spears, the Travis County Tax Office has consistently compiled the best tax collection rate in Texas. She’s done it again — hitting the previous record of 99 percent for the fiscal year ending September 30.

She did it with 10 percent fewer lawsuits, too. And in the midst of an economic downturn.

“We matched the previous collection rate record and brought in $101 million more than last year with 70 fewer lawsuits,” Nelda said. “Best of all, these resources will go to fund vital public services, not private law firms.” More…

TRAVIS COUNTY TAX OFFICE COLLECTS RECORD REVENUE WITH FAR FEWER LAWSUITS

Nelda Wells Spears Hits 99 Percent Collection Rate With 10 Percent Fewer Lawsuits

(AUSTIN) — Travis County Tax Collector Nelda Wells Spears this week submitted her official report to the Commissioners Court for the year ending September 30, showing that her office hit a 99 percent collection rate two days after the close of the fiscal year, filed 10 percent fewer lawsuits, and brought in more than $1.8 billion in taxes to fund public schools, public health, and public safety.

“We matched the previous collection rate record, brought in $101 million more than last year with 70 fewer lawsuits, and did it all with only two extra days,” Spears said. “Best of all, these resources will go to fund vital public services, not private law firms.”

Last year, Travis County filed 675 lawsuits to collect taxes owed. This year, only 605 were filed to achieve the same collection rate. The $1.8 billion collected from all taxing jurisdictions compares to $1.7 billion last year. More…

IT’S NOT OVER YET

More than 50 years ago, my relationship with the Travis County Tax Office began when I accompanied my grandmother to pay her poll tax. That experience has been part of my motivation to build the best county tax office in Texas.

With me, it’s personal. And I think my grandmother would be proud of the job I’ve done. More…