Monday, October 6, 2008

League of Women voters election survey: Kirk England, candidate for Texas State Rep. - District 106

By Staff of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on November 4th features a number of local races to decide state and national Senate and House of Representatives seats.

The responses of Rep. Kirk England (D), who is running for re-election for the Texas House of Representatives - District 106 seat, appear below. England is running against Gene Freeman (L) and Karen Wiegman (R).

LWV: Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

England: As a lifetime resident, I have an understanding of the issues that affect our community. As a small business owner for over 23 years, I know how to prioritize, manage, and meet a budget. I have a track record of service with civic organizations and the public schools.

LWV: The Texas Legislature in 2007 overhauled business taxes to provide property tax relief for homeowners, but many small business owners in Texas now claim that their property tax decrease was far less than their business tax increase. What measures should be taken to maintain adequate state tax revenues without unduly burdening individual taxpayers or small business?

England: As with any new legislation, the 2007 legislation should be reevaluated as we go forward. The Comptroller’s office will provide a data breakdown on the impact of these changes that should be reviewed before considering any legislative adjustments. Groups such as the NFIB have recommended changes that may prove to be appropriate. I am certainly aware of local businesses that were hit hard by the 2007 changes and will work to correct any unintended consequences.

LWV: Texas deregulated electricity rates with the promise that competition between suppliers would lower consumers’ electric rates, yet rates in Texas remain well above the national average. What measures should be taken to ensure electric power reliability and affordability in Texas?

England: The legislature should be aggressive in reforming the wholesale electric market so that generators of electricity (coal and nuclear) do not charge rates at high natural gas prices. This would lower rates across the board regardless of which retail electric provider a customer chooses. The state should also use the System Benefit Fund’s dollars to implement weatherization programs and extend low income rate discounts to those families that are at risk of disconnect.

LWV: According to the most recent published data of the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, insurance industry losses in Texas have decreased by 85%, yet homeowners’ rates have fallen by only 4%. What reforms would you support to lower homeowners’ rates in Texas?

England: Currently, the choice for Texas consumers is too limited. Many reputable insurance carriers are licensed in other states but not in Texas. We should expand the market to allow more homeowner carriers to do business in Texas. This increased competition should work to reduce rates. Also, we should make the homeowners insurance system a true “file and use” system and limit the use of credit scoring to only include the underwriting of new risks.

LWV: The Texas legislature has not increased the gas tax since 1991, and also diverts millions of dollars of transportation funds to other areas of the state budget such as education and the Department of Public Safety. The public has voiced much disapproval of toll roads and public/private partnerships to build new roads. How would you fund construction of new roads and maintenance of existing roads and bridges?

England: A sound policy that includes a mix of toll roads and effective utilization of the existing gas tax for maintenance and new road construction as originally intended - as opposed to diverting the funds elsewhere - would allow us to meet the infrastructure needs of a growing Texas population.

LWV: If diversions from the State’s transportation fund are stopped, how would you pay for those items that are currently funded by gas tax monies?

England: Dollars diverted to other areas of the budget have increased gradually over several sessions. Accordingly, corrections may also need to be spread out to avoid too great an impact in any one year. Over time, these corrections can be absorbed as revenues increase from an expanding Texas economy.

LWV: Currently, sales prices of most residential property are disclosed while those of commercial property are not. Do you support public disclosure of commercial real estate sales prices so as to ensure fair and accurate appraisals?

England: I do not support public disclosure. I think we should extend enforcement authority to the Comptroller’s office to hold appraisal districts accountable for proper appraisal techniques. The Comptroller should consider any evidence that suggests commercial property is being inaccurately valued, and expect that the real value percentage is reported in the annual report on property valuations. Appraisal districts should use uniform appraisal standards, increase education, and assure uniformity and equality.

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