CT is somewhere in the mid-12's (combined), which is high. No idea where Texas is. Sales tax is always increasing - currently at 6.3, but not upwards of 8.5 like NY. We also have property tax here - not sure about Texas. That means we get taxed on everything we own based on its current value/assessment (all cars, boats, four-wheelers, land/home, etc.).
Coff.
Is that why you're cutting down all those trees?