Stop the Waste, The Apple Dumpling Gang, ChronBlog
Home builders have argued that the increased price of such things will price potential new-home buyers out of the market. But that argument looks silly when you do the math.
According to the Energy Efficiency Codes Coalition, the higher requirements will add about $1,623 to the cost of an average new house in Houston - which is to say, raising the price by less than 1 percent.
Are the same people breaking out in hives over this:
Sobering Tax, The Apple Dumpling Gan, ChronBlog
It's time for some math, so put down that morning Bloody Mary. If you purchase a $10 glass of wine at a restaurant with a mixed beverage permit today, your tab is $10. The owner at the end of the month sends 14 percent, or $1.40, to the state. In 2014, that same glass of wine will cost $10 plus an 8.25 percent tax or $10.83. The restaurant owner sends an additional 6.7 percent, or 67 cents, to the state at the end of the month.
So, to the Apple Dumpling Gang, a consumer tax of $.83 is a more onerous burden to the average Houstonian than is a $1,623 increase in home pricing. Clearly, the beef that the Chron has with higher taxes and costs are not with what they are, but with what letter is behind the politician's name that is behind them.
With recent word that the Chron is diminishing some departments in favor of local reporting may we humbly suggest that the Apple Dumpling Gang, and their silly editorial slant, be among the first to be given the heave-ho.
A better idea for ChronBlog would be to allow local leaders, bloggers, etc. to appropriate the Op-Ed space with meaningful writing. A "both sides" series of essays would be much better than what we're currently getting. Of course, they could still allow someone to continue the farce of 'endorsing' in political races if they still feel that's a meaningful function of journalism. (It's not, but that's a story for a different post.)
