The Democrat-controlled city of Austin (Travis County) has just released their preliminary budget for 2009. And — feign surprise — the budget has more spending than it does incoming revenue.

So, instead of doing the responsible thing and cutting spending — the Dems are doing what Dems do…raising my taxes. Again:

Travis County is planning to raise property taxes in 2009, making higher year-end bills all but certain for Austin homeowners.

On Tuesday, the county released its preliminary budget, joining the city and the Austin school district in proposing higher taxes as the economy softens.

Great. The city is going to charge us more property tax on our falling home values.