Preston Poulter

Current roles

• Local Libertarian Party: Member

Former roles

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

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Pegasus News 2008 candidate survey

NAME: Preston Poulter

OFFICE/DISTRICT: State Representative 115

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Libertarian

OPPONENT: Jim Jackson

Education: BS Chemistry, BA Geology, Southern Methodist University 1995, Background in Economics, University of Texas at Dallas, 2007

Background: Small Businessman turned Author

Hobbies: History, Poker

Family: Yes

Pegasus: What drew you to run for office?

Poulter: I was asked to by the Texas Libertarian Party

Pegasus: What are the platforms of your campaign?

Poulter: That it is immoral and hypocritical for the Texas Republican Party to tell the citizens of this state how to run their lives in terms of their sexuality and vices while simultaneously claiming they believe in small government.

Pegasus: What are the concerns of the people in your community that you represent?

Poulter: Most people I've talked to worry about the economy and the unravelling of the current economic order.

Pegasus: What are the sources of conflict in your election contest?

Poulter: I don't understand the question

Pegasus: How do you differ from your opponents?

Poulter: Since I do not entertain the possibility that I might actually be elected, I am free to sincerely speak my mind about things.

Pegasus: Do you have a favorite Presidential candidate?

Poulter: Ron Paul

Pegasus: How do you feel about the following issues from the area?:

* Convention center hotel in Dallas

Poulter: Should not fall under the purview of the government

* Switching freeways from free to toll-based

Poulter: Toll roads are an excellent way to privatize "public goods" and I support them.

* HOV lanes

Poulter: While an excellent idea, I'd like to see a study regarding whether they have changed anyone's driving habits. If not, we should abandon them.

* DART rail

Poulter: One of the few government projects I could support.

* Barnett Shale drilling

Poulter: Yes

* Cellphone use in cars

Poulter: Yes

* Open internet access in public libraries

Poulter: Yes

* "Green" buildings

Poulter: An excellent idea, but I would not support the government mandating that buildings have to be green.

Pegasus: How do you feel about the following national issues?:

* War in Iraq

Poulter: Immortal and completely unjustifiable

* Immigration

Poulter: Need to target employers who hire illegal workers. Eliminate the jobs and they will stop coming.

* Energy sources (oil vs wind vs solar)

Poulter: I support alternative sources of energy and would encourage the US to move away from foreign oil.

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League of Women Voters 2008 candidate survey

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

Poulter: I've started and run my own business. I have little experience when it comes to participating in Austin politics, but quite frankly I consider that an asset.

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?

Poulter: A full 13.5% of the 2007 Texas State Budget went to Business and Economic development. It seems strange for the state to take money away from businesses and then give it back as best they see fit. A lower tax burden is the best incentive I know of for new business.

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?

Poulter: Low prices and not be legislated from Austin. The legislature should allow the forces of the free market to provide for the lowest prices possible and stay out of attempting to second guess a business they do not understand.

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?

Poulter: How is the rate charged between insurance providers and their clients the purview of the state legislature? Is the government now going to tell the insurance industry how to run it's business? I'd recommend the State of Texas again allow the forces of free market competition to correctly price insurance.

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?

Poulter: Toll roads are an excellent way for the needed highways to find their own funding; they may be unpopular in comparison to the largesse of publicly build roads, but they are effective in ensuring that only needed roads are developed.

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?

Poulter: Gas tax revenue should be reserved to support roads and property tax revenue to support education. Shortfalls should be addressed by cutting spending or raising the appropriate tax.

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?

Poulter: Yes. Markets work best when they have more information and commercial real estate is no different.