Investments strategy with new administration?

[EddieWalker]

Here in Smith County, and Tyler Texas, they worse tax is for the Junior College. It's a massive money-making machine that has complete control over our local government. When they wanted a new tennis court, they took the local houses by Eminent Domain. I think ten houses were taken to create the tennis court, parking lot and new brick building for the tennis players. A couple elections ago, they were crying about how poor they were after building a brand-new football field, and that taxes needed to be raised. Then somebody came forward that showed how many millions they had in the bank, and that they had just given a bunch of people huge raises. I think that's the only time they didn't win a tax increase!!!

 

[gsganzer]

In contrast to private colleges, it used to be that public colleges and universities were somewhat austere places that strived to provide an education at reasonable costs. That's certainly not the case anymore.

If you look at almost any college, you see cranes poking up and major construction projects going. Part of it is certainly due to increasing populations, but I really think the majority of it is because spending is out of control. You hear all the complaints about the rising costs of getting a college degree, but yet you see these colleges spending money like they're swimming in it. Fancy sports complexes, luxury apartments, lazy river pools, extravagant campus centers etc.

Here in Denton, the University of North Texas has been working on a 20 year sports complex project, with a new athletic complex, including a new football stadium. Subsequent proposed projects would include an arena for basketball and volleyball, a stadium for baseball, a natatorium, an indoor tennis facility, a new and reoriented softball stadium, a relocated soccer practice field and a tailgating park across from Apogee Stadium.

 

[D&D]

In contrast to private colleges, it used to be that public colleges and universities were somewhat austere places that strived to provide an education at reasonable costs. That's certainly not the case anymore.

If you look at almost any college, you see cranes poking up and major construction projects going. Part of it is certainly due to increasing populations, but I really think the majority of it is because spending is out of control. You hear all the complaints about the rising costs of getting a college degree, but yet you see these colleges spending money like they're swimming in it. Fancy sports complexes, luxury apartments, lazy river pools, extravagant campus centers etc.

Here in Denton, the University of North Texas has been working on a 20 year sports complex project, with a new athletic complex, including a new football stadium. Subsequent proposed projects would include an arena for basketball and volleyball, a stadium for baseball, a natatorium, an indoor tennis facility, a new and reoriented softball stadium, a relocated soccer practice field and a tailgating park across from Apogee Stadium.

So after the time when everyone was highly encouraged to drop their toolbox and get a degree? Now there’s so much “educational debt” the IN crowd wants us to pay their loans for them…

 

[gsganzer]

I read an article (I need to find it, so I can share it), that talked about how .gov awards and applies financial aid, is actually a large part of the problem. If I remember it correctly, the way it should work is an applicant learns what they are eligible for and then shops colleges that will give them the best value for their money, promoting consumer pressure on pricing.

Instead, an applicant first finds the college they want and then apply for the aid, the college is then able to adjust their tuition to meet the maximum pain the student can stand. This keeps prices artificially high.

 

[EddieWalker]

I understand the original thinking behind tax money to support higher education with Junior Colleges, but it's gotten out of control. High School kids in there Senior Year are given the forms to get student loans. Once they do this, they become slaves to debt and a path that probably isn't in their best interest.

The more money the school gets, the more they spend, and the more effort is put on getting more money. I realize that I'm in the minority, but I really don't think that everyone should be paying property taxes to support Junior Colleges and Universities.

 

[jyoutz]

I understand the original thinking behind tax money to support higher education with Junior Colleges, but it's gotten out of control. High School kids in there Senior Year are given the forms to get student loans. Once they do this, they become slaves to debt and a path that probably isn't in their best interest.

The more money the school gets, the more they spend, and the more effort is put on getting more money. I realize that I'm in the minority, but I really don't think that everyone should be paying property taxes to support Junior Colleges and Universities.

In my state, the Lottery funds 2 or 4 year scholarships for anyone who graduated from a state high school. The caveat is they need to maintain a certain GPA in college to keep the scholarship. This is just for tuition. Students still need to fund their own room and board and buy book/supplies.

 

[two_bit_score]

Here in Smith County, and Tyler Texas, they worse tax is for the Junior College. It's a massive money-making machine that has complete control over our local government. When they wanted a new tennis court, they took the local houses by Eminent Domain. I think ten houses were taken to create the tennis court, parking lot and new brick building for the tennis players. A couple elections ago, they were crying about how poor they were after building a brand-new football field, and that taxes needed to be raised. Then somebody came forward that showed how many millions they had in the bank, and that they had just given a bunch of people huge raises. I think that's the only time they didn't win a tax increase!!!

Yes, they are theoretically answerable to the taxpayers through an elected Board. But who ever interacts with the Board of a Community College who would decide to run against one of them? Nobody. Their Boards are more often selected rather than elected. Very few voters know who those Board members are and turnout in those elections are very low. Yet they have a huge impact on the avaerage taxpayers pocketbook. Voters have got to wake up and start taking back their communities. Junior/Community Colleges, Hospital Districts, Emergency Service Districts all tax us and all are supposed to be accountable to taxpayers but mostly they are not.
Emergency Service Districts are some of the worst spenders because they are appointed by County Commissioners, not elected directly.

 

[two_bit_score]

In contrast to private colleges, it used to be that public colleges and universities were somewhat austere places that strived to provide an education at reasonable costs. That's certainly not the case anymore.

Everyone is either on a grift or looking for one. It's sickening.

The more money the school gets, the more they spend, and the more effort is put on getting more money. I realize that I'm in the minority, but I really don't think that everyone should be paying property taxes to support Junior Colleges and Universities.

It sure would be good if more people like you would run for some of these positions.

 

[ponytug]

Interesting report out on how the real estate impacts might be hyper local as insurance rates shift;

Property Prices in Peril

First Street™ research is transparent, peer reviewed, and proven against real environmental events. Use the Library to access First Street Research.

firststreet.org

More here, too;

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/opinion/home-values-insurance-climate.html

Food for thought at least.

All the best,

Peter

 

[California]

Interesting report out on how the real estate impacts might be hyper local as insurance rates shift;

Property Prices in Peril

First Street™ research is transparent, peer reviewed, and proven against real environmental events. Use the Library to access First Street Research.

firststreet.org

More here, too;

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/opinion/home-values-insurance-climate.html

Food for thought at least.

Interesting!

I wonder what is the reason for placing northern Nevada in the worst category?