League of Women Voters election survey: Philip M. White, candidate for the Texas House Rep. - District 112

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 Philip M. White (L), who is seeking election to the Texas House of Representatives - District 112 seat, appear below. White is running against Angie Chen Button (R) and Sandra VuLe (D).

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

White: I have no formal training in the art and science of representing the state, nor do I have relevant experience. However, I do have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (working on a M.S.), a strong interest in law and justice, and a desire to represent the people of Texas.

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?

White: The main way to solve the problem is to reduce the need for state tax revenues. This'll lift the burden both from individual taxpayers and small business. The way to reduce the need for tax revenues is to reduce the size and scope of the government and to privatize many of the government's services.

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?

White: It would be nice to eventually let the free market solve the problem. We can lower the cost of energy and increase power reliability by increasing supply: allowing the industry to build new and modern power plants, such as the passively-safe, efficient pebble bed reactor design. Additionally, as we know from the sweltering heat, Texas is very well suited for solar energy capture.

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?

White: It is rarely the government's place to meddle in the industry. Why are insurance costs so slow to fall? A lack of competition? Or is it that the current insurance reforms and regulations very costly to adhere to? Or is it that insurance companies are wisely using this time to increase their asset reservoirs? As state rep, I would investigate the root cause for the relatively high insurance costs prior to introducing reforms.

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?

White: Return gas tax funds to their original purpose: maintenance and improvement of transportation.

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?

White: Education and the DPS definitely need funding – at least as long as we support free and public education. I'd get funding the old-fashioned way: ask for it directly, rather than covertly and deceitfully rerouting funds from unrelated projects.

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?

White: I don't have an opinion on this one way or another. On one hand, public disclosure of real estate sales prices would be nice. On the other hand, we currently have seemingly-adequate ways of appraising commercial property, and mandating public disclosure would be an additional burden on property owners. Does the benefit justify the burden? I do not know and would learn more about why this is an issue before making any decisions.