Tuesday, October 14, 2008

League of Women Voters election survey: Preston Poulter, candidate for Texas State Rep. - District 115

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 Preston Poulter (L), who is running for the Texas House of Representatives - District 115 seat, appear below. Poulter is running against Rep. Jim Jackson (R). (Editor's note: Poulter also responded to a Pegasus News questionnaire).

Preston Poulter

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

Poulter: I've started and run my own business. I have little experience when it comes to participating in Austin politics, but quite frankly I consider that an asset.

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?

Poulter: A full 13.5% of the 2007 Texas State Budget went to Business and Economic development. It seems strange for the state to take money away from businesses and then give it back as best they see fit. A lower tax burden is the best incentive I know of for new business.

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?

Poulter: Low prices and not be legislated from Austin. The legislature should allow the forces of the free market to provide for the lowest prices possible and stay out of attempting to second guess a business they do not understand.

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?

Poulter: How is the rate charged between insurance providers and their clients the purview of the state legislature? Is the government now going to tell the insurance industry how to run it's business? I'd recommend the State of Texas again allow the forces of free market competition to correctly price insurance.

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?

Poulter: Toll roads are an excellent way for the needed highways to find their own funding; they may be unpopular in comparison to the largesse of publicly build roads, but they are effective in ensuring that only needed roads are developed.

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?

Poulter: Gas tax revenue should be reserved to support roads and property tax revenue to support education. Shortfalls should be addressed by cutting spending or raising the appropriate tax.

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?

Poulter: Yes. Markets work best when they have more information and commercial real estate is no different.

Pegasus News content partner - League of Women Voters

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