The House Committee on Ways & Means 76th Legislature May 5, 2000 9:30 a.m. 1401 Pacific, Dallas, Texas Pursuant to a notice posted on April 26, 2000, the House Committee on Ways & Means met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Oliveira, at 9:43 a.m. Review of Tax Exemptions and Credits The chair laid out the interim charge to: Review the tax exemptions and credits approved by the 76th Legislature, including S.B. 441 and the emergency severance tax measures, and evaluate their success in achieving legislative goals. Testimony was taken. (See attached witness list.) Tax Structure Changes The chair laid out the interim charge to: Identify and list the specific changes to the tax structure that would: (1) produce the most positive effect on the gross state product; (2) produce the most positive effect on the creation and retention of jobs that pay a living wage; (3) most benefit troubled or declining industries, such as agriculture and oil production; (4) promote enhanced tax equity, including mitigation of the regressivity of the current tax structure; and (5) address loopholes that permit certain classes of taxpayers to avoid equitable taxation. Testimony was taken. (See attached witness list.) At 2:18 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. ________________________ Rep. Oliveira, Chair ________________________ J.J. Garza, Clerk