League of Women Voters election survey: Chris Harris, candidate for Texas State Sen. - District 9

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 incumbent Chris Harris (R), who is running for the Texas State Senate - District 23 seat, appear below. Harris is running against Melvin Willms (D) and Carl Nulsen (L).

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

Harris: As a parent, businessman, attorney and state senator, I support a strong Texas economy, quality schools, and lower crime rates. That’s what I strive for as District 9 state senator.

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?

Harris: This tax was required by Texas courts to reduce school districts’ reliance on property taxes. The business margins tax needs revisions in the 2009 legislature, but the real goal should be to rely less on property taxes as a funding source.

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?

Harris: Texas should expand its energy base, including more new and clean technologies, natural gas, solar, nuclear, and wind energy, along with greater conservation efforts. Energy demands will only steadily increase with the growing Texas economy and population. Texas should also continue to upgrade its grid to ensure reliable and efficient delivery.

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?

Harris: The next legislature should reexamine the Texas Department of Insurance’s largely ineffective efforts to lower residential rates. Competitive markets should be producing lower rates than what we now have.

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?

Harris: Gasoline taxes and toll roads are necessary evils to meet North Texas’ highway needs. I support reviewing TXDOT’s effectiveness, and the relationship between NTTA and TXDOT. When necessary, new highways within North Texas, such as Highway 161, may be funded as toll roads, not by higher gasoline taxes.

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?

Harris: I support single-purpose taxes, such as the state gasoline tax, being restricted to their original purpose.

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?

Harris: The better solution is to rely less on property taxes, make the appraisal process more professional, and separate the appraisal review process from taxing entities by making it more responsive to voters.