Tax leaders cheerless over tax prospects

Tax leaders cheerless over tax prospects: "As cheerless lawmakers explored a new tax system to pay for public schools, leaders acknowledged Friday that even if they reach an agreement in the remaining days of the special session, it won't go far enough to modernize the state's antiquated business tax structure.

Instead, proposals will merely patch the law that now allows thousands of businesses to avoid paying.

A new business tax structure should depict Texas' service-oriented economy and should “be fair and broad based, what we've been trying to do forever,” said Rep. Jim Keffer, an Eastland Republican who has led the House tax-writing effort. “We weren't that successful this time.”"