Eric Brandler
-
»
-
»
-
»
Current roles
Former roles
League of Women Voters 2008 candidate survey
LWV: Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.
Brandler: I am a 22 year resident, experiencing the growth, changing lifestyle and demographics within our district. I have raised a family and worked within this community. My political activism extends from formative experiences in college at University of Texas during the early ‘80s.
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?
Brandler: I opposed the 2007 business tax overhaul as it represented both a cosmetic revenue solution and worse, a back door income tax for small business owners. Before we shatter Texas’ tradition of resisting income taxation, the Legislature should aggressively close tax loopholes, expand enforcement of existing tax law, and extend the sales tax base.
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?
Brandler: Just as tax policy should be graduated to protect the most vulnerable in our society, we need to take a new approach to electricity rates. Clearly deregulation has not served Texas consumers well. While some of these issues resist any quick and easy solution, the Legislature should create a new revenue stream to subsidize the explosive costs of electricity on the poorest, and those on fixed incomes.
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?
Brandler: Texas insurers have “thumbed their noses” at regulation and rate reduction due to their powerful influence within the Legislature. There has been no consequence to their legal foot-dragging, as they have cynically used litigation to delay mandated rate reductions. The Legislature must create financial disincentives that make these strategies unprofitable so that consumers can receive the appropriate compensation for the delayed refunds.
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?
Brandler: The system of taxation funding road maintenance and construction desperately needs updating as it does not keep pace with inflation. A comprehensive reform of gas taxes, vehicle registration fees and automobile sales tax must be implemented to correct the inadequate revenue stream.
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?
Brandler: Voters want transparency in taxation, so we need to stop these dishonest shell games designed to hide funding problems. Where possible, taxes should be aligned with their intended beneficial purpose, not pillaged due to lack of legislative courage and integrity.
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?
Brandler: This is another transparency issue that demands integrity. The only reason why such information has not been made public is a willful desire to avoid property taxes. Those who perpetuate this current system are simply stealing from their fellow Texas residential taxpayers.
