1. Donald Ridenour on June 8th, 2005 at 7:03 am
   

   I got to it. Sorry for the inconvenience. I hope to make it there.

   Thanks
2. Pat Keeling on June 8th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
   

   Edd,
   I own five lots on River Road in Comal County where State Rep. Carter Casteel is from. I would like to have a sign put on it to tell the people there what kind of a Representative she is and who she really represents. It sure was not the Republicans that elected her.
   My property value went up $4,000 on one lot that has a septic system, the appraisal people said they are adding that to all residences’ property.
3. Roxanne Smith on June 9th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
   

   I did not file my protest until May 31. My form is not prepared at this time since I just today downloaded Edd’s form. If I cannot attend today just for information, would Edd please consider doing another one of these, perhaps one each month through August, or at least one more session? Thank you.
4. william daniels on June 9th, 2005 at 3:36 pm
   

   Check out today’s Wall Street Journal Opinion
   page. Headline “What’s the Matter With Texas”, Subline ‘The do-nothing GOP Legislature’. The opinion piece journals the failure of the Republican Majority in the Texas legislature to
   take charge. The last sentence reads ” But if property taxes are not cut meaningfully right now, the Repulicans, (aka Rinos), might not be coming back to Austin after the next election.”
5. Dana Helvy on June 9th, 2005 at 5:21 pm
   

   If I calculate my increase in property values without taking homestead effect into account my value went up 17%. With homestead my values went up 10.7%. Which method should I choose to calculate how much my value increased with respect to the statutory limit of 10%? Also, if they went up more than 10% am I allowed to protest even after the 5/31 deadline since they didn’t follow the rules?
6. Richard Gable on June 10th, 2005 at 8:25 am
   

   I can’t stop thinking about the on-air conversation between Dan Patrick and Commissioner Steve Radack Thursday afternoon. This exposure to the behind the scene reality of local and state politics is powerful stuff. Information can motivate and empower the voters. This kind of honesty and disclosure has got to be making career politicians extremely nervous. During the interview, Commissioner Radack kept starting his sentences with “I’m not saying they (the politicians in Austin) are corrupt, but …“. My request to Radack, Dan, and others is this: Stop being afraid to speak the truth. Corruption is running rampant in our local, state and national governments. We all know that, so why pretend otherwise? Recent programming on KSEV has exposed corruption that is as obvious as it can be.

   Lets identify examples of corruption and call it what it is. The time for being politically correct and polite is far behind us. This may offend a few blow hard politicians. That’s fine. They need to realize how offended and ticked off the citizenry is getting. Our message to career politicians should be very blunt. The game is over. You are done. If you avoid legal action on your way out of office, consider yourself extremely fortunate. Thank you ksev !!
7. Jimmy on June 10th, 2005 at 8:45 am
   

   ATTENTION TAX PAYER ADVOCATES AND ATTORNEYS.

   I have an idea that could possibly be the ultimate public service for the average tax payer with regard to their unfair property values.

   If filing a lawsuit wasn’t cost prohibitive for the average homeowner, citizens could litigate in mass. For example if a homeowner is only looking for $5000 or $10,000 of relief from the appraisal district, the tax savings might only be $150 to $ 300. If the cost to file a lawsuit was only around $100, I bet there would be 10,000 to 20,000+ people file lawsuits that otherwise would not have sued.

   As I understand it, the appraisal district almost always settles without going to the courthouse. As I understand the logic, if the court rules that the subject property should be valued at least $1.00 less than the ARB previously set the final value, the appraisal district must pay all attorney costs.

   I would just like to know, if an attorney had 1,000 customers lined up for a ‘group discount’, would it be worth the attorney’s time to generate $100,000 income in about one months time. The idea would be for the attorney to file the suit and for the owner to represent themselves with the litigation group at the appraisal district and at the courthouse.

   ATTORNEYS: Do any attorney’s have any thoughts on this, especially those that specialize in the tax field ?

   It seems there must be a cost effective way to tackle unjust values for the little guy, like myself. >>> If it is a viable idea, perhaps it could be discussed on the radio as a public service.
8. Kathi Smith on June 10th, 2005 at 8:59 am
   

   My husband went with a neighbor to go to Harris County Appraisal Board on Thursday. He had photos, repair estimates of her house as well as photos of the houses that have sold for higher values (they were perfect condition)

   Using Edds form we listed each repair needed to bring her home up to perfect for a full sales value. Edds form is great - I copied it into Excell and added formulas to calculate the actual value. (Thank you Edd for a fantastic tool)

   Our neighbors home was maxed out at market value and had NOT increased since 2002, but she decided to protest it anyway, as it was really too high. Her market value was reduced 13% or 23K thus cutting her yearly tax bill by $800.00.

   Helping your neighbors protest their values also helps you get your own lowered. So use Edd’s form and help each other. It works well.
9. Jerry H on June 10th, 2005 at 10:11 am
   

   Keen
   School of
   Enlightened
   Voters

   I am fortunate to consider myself a pupil of the Keen School of Enlightened Voters (KSEV). The education you provide to the voters is more relevant and useful than the education gleaned from any liberal university.

   There are many of us who were not able to attend ‘class’ on Thursday that would like another opportunity. Will you have another coaching session anytime soon?

   Thank you, ‘professors’, for the services you provide and keep up the good work!
10. Mike Carter on June 10th, 2005 at 11:21 am
    

    Is it possible you may have another such session soon? I was unable to attend this one due to my work schedule.
11. Bill Daugherty on June 10th, 2005 at 3:24 pm
    

    It really is a terrific tool. I will try to use it in Bexar county. Thanks.
12. Irma Fertl on June 11th, 2005 at 2:33 pm
    

    unfortunately i just found out today - 6/11 - about the “workshop”. i live in montgomery county and am coming up for review on the 24th. any thing i can read up on that was presented?

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