Bob Romano

Current roles

• Local Democratic Party: Member

Former roles

• Local State House of Representatives: Texas State House of Reps candidate

League of Women Voters 2008 candidate survey

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

Romano: Founder of Irving Veterans Memorial Park; Irving City Councilman, P&Z Commissioner; Treasurer, Committee For Right To Vote; Retired IBM Manager; President, IBM Quarter Century Club; Arts & Science Degree, NLC; Veteran, USAF, Electronics Technician; Irving homeowner since 1957 and Texas resident since a teenager.

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?

Romano: This new tax isn’t fair nor will it yield the intended tax relief. It has a low minimum, is based on gross income, and gives strong exclusions to profitable oil and gas interests. It will create a larger surplus while placing an unfair burden on smaller and start-up businesses. Some lobbyists may have influenced some legislators and I think proper reform will come when we have a more bipartisan Speaker.

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?

Romano: Cost for electricity is too high in Texas. Rates change frequently and vary among suppliers. Users must spend a lot of time managing this expense. This is burdensome and confusing to all, but especially for senior citizens on fixed income. Legislators should give vendors a reasonable time to fix rates and procedures or go back to the pre deregulation way of doing things.

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?

Romano: Insurance lobbyists have too much control over insurance rates and profits. The present management system does not allow consumers any control. I have heard complaints that Texans pay more for insurance and can expect an expensive legal battle if a claim is high dollar. Claim creditability does not stop the expensive, time consuming, legal ordeal one often faces with a high dollar claim. An elected insurance commissioner could afford some relief.

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?

Romano: Tax money should be spent for the purposes originally designated. The diversion to other purposes, make it harder for citizens to hold elected officials accountable. Some road construction and maintenance dollars should come from the high profits going to the oil companies.

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?

Romano: Gas tax paid by the consumer is presently paid by the gallon. This does not need to change but as the price per gallon increases, part of the increase and profit to the oil companies should go for road maintenance and construction.

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?

Romano: The closing statement of any real estate transaction may be used as a benchmark for determining tax value of a particular piece of property. I believe this information is readily available so no changes to sales price disclosures are necessary.