League of Women Voters election survey: Tim Miles, candidate for Texas House Rep. - District 111

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 Tim Miles (L), who is running for the Texas House of Representatives - District 107 seat, appear below. Miles is running against Rep. Yvonne Davis (D) and Homer Fincannon (R).

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

Miles: I have been a restaurant manager for 15 years and for the last 8 years have worked in Half Price Books’ wholesale division. I’ve held Real Estate Licenses in 3 states, and have a B.S. in business from the University of Alabama.

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?

Miles: Eliminate the Franchise Tax. The ‘adequate state tax revenues’ amount should be about 40% (at most) of the current tax load.

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?

Miles: Nothing. Let the market decide.

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?

Miles: None. Let the market decide.

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?

Miles: I would fund building and maintenance with the gas tax.

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?

Miles: Education and the Department of Public Safely (et al) will just have cut back on costs. Sending a textbook user fee to the general fund is deplorable.

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?

Miles: As I obtained one of my Real Estate Licenses (Texas), I found it truly bizarre that commercial transactions are not published. This should be changed.