League of Women Voters election survey: Rep. John Carona, candidate for Texas State Sen. - District 16

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. John Carona (R), who is running for re-election to the Texas State Senate - District 16 seat, appear below. Carona is running against Paul E. Osborn (L) and Rain Levy Minns (D).

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

Carona: Voters know me as a man of my word who has always stood up for their best interests. I have a record of leadership, having authored or served as primary sponsor of more than 400 bills that have become law, and I chair the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security Committee.

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?

Carona: The new margins tax (replacing the franchise tax) expands the taxpayer base and lowers the rate. However, it has become apparent that the tax will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses. At the same time, preliminary returns from the tax indicate that it will generate approximately $1 billion less than anticipated. Correcting the margins tax’s inequities while ensuring it becomes a stable revenue source will be among my top priorities in the upcoming session.

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?

Carona: Efficiency and diversification of our energy sources, with an emphasis on renewable energies, are essential to maintaining a clean and affordable energy supply for our state. The Public Utilities Commission recently approved the construction of $4.9 billion in transmission lines to integrate 18,456 megawatts of electricity into our power grid. Under current law, 20% of our growth in demand for power is required to be met through efficiency; I believe we must increase this amount.

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?

Carona: When the Legislature enacted numerous reforms to the homeowner’s insurance market in 2003, it was thought that these reforms would increase competition, which would significantly lower rates. This has not been the case. Requiring prior approval of homeowners insurance rates, as opposed to the current model which allows insurers to simply file their rates with the state, may be necessary to ensure insurers do not excessively profit on the backs of homeowners.

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?

Carona: The Legislature must reduce diversion of gas tax revenue to other areas of the state budget. The gas tax, which is the least costly way to build and maintain our roadways, should be indexed to keep pace with annual inflation.

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?

Carona: The state must recognize that its current tax structure cannot meet its basic needs. Continued fiscal restraint, better budget prioritization, and a tax structure reflective of our modern state economy are all essential to adequately funding our state budget.

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?

Carona: In comparison to the residential real estate market, sales prices for commercial property are not always an enduring indicator of the true market value. There are many factors that reflect market value of commercial property, such as income generated by the property at a given point in time, its location, type of business located at the property, and periodic zoning changes.