After Hurricane Ike, we all knew there would be added expenses and sacrifices. The state Legislature stepped up, with Craig Eiland’s leadership, and approved money for the rebuilding of University of Texas Medical Branch on Galveston Island.
There is a stipulation, though; the county must raise the coverage of indigent health care from 50 percent to 100 percent in order to receive the state funds.
There are at least two ways the county commissioners court can find the necessary money for Galveston’s share. First is an election on a hospital district, either countywide or only that portion of the county affected by the presence of the medical branch; the second is to raise taxes by action of the court.
There have been negative comments made about a hospital district so the commissioners court is now considering a 6-cent property tax. The court may vote as early as today on the property-tax increase, which would produce $12 million to $14 million.
Everyone, including seniors, would pay a potential 6-cent property tax per $100 evaluation as the county’s portion toward the 100 percent indigent health care required by the Legislature for the money to rebuild UTMB’s Galveston Island teaching facility.
Seniors on fixed income would be penalized at the same rate as everyone else. In today’s economy, we will be asking our citizens, including the elderly, to face even more taxes. As I said above, “we all knew there would be added expenses and sacrifices.” This is a critical issue and requires more consideration. This vote is important to the future of Galveston County and League City.
The medical branch is a regional facility, providing indigent health care to all surrounding counties; therefore, it should be supported by the entire region and not just Galveston County alone. The property-tax rate, when shared by all surrounding counties, could drop from 6 cents to 1 or 2 cents.
This tax would seriously hamper improvements League City desperately needs. We are the largest city in Galveston County and have serious needs for utilities, roads, drainage, fire, police and other items. This 6 cents has the potential to adversely affect the future of League City and, therefore, the future of Galveston County.
There must be a better way to accomplish the rebuilding of UTMB without jeopardizing the future of our city and the residents of all Galveston County.
You have to wonder if the state Legislature put this condition on Galveston County as a way of asking, “Do you really need a teaching facility or just a hospital?”
