26
Texas Association of Builders
March/April 2015
Speaking Out
Grinding out public policy decisions in long
committee meetings is the hardest but most
rewarding part of the legislative process.
I greatly enjoyed serving as chairman
of the Senate Education committee last
session where we passed the most sweeping
education reforms of the last decade that
improved career and technical courses
while giving families the ability to choose
pathways that interest their students.
On the topic of career and technical
education, thank you for sponsoring
and passing House Bill 5 during the 83
rd
Legislative Session, which increased the
quality and availability of career and
technical education programs in the Texas
public school system and was heavily
supported by the Texas Association of
Builders. How do you think the passage of
this critical initiative will benefit students
and Texas employers alike?
First, let me thank the Texas Association
of Builders for their great assistance in
passing HB 5. In today’s workforce you
need technical training classes, university
studies or both to have a successful career.
Better preparing our men and women for
the workforce will allow the Texas economy
to remain strong and competitive.
Being the first in your family to graduate
from college and being married to a
teacher, you have stressed the importance
of quality education. Considering the 25%
statewide high school drop-out rate, what
do you recommend the Texas Legislature
do to reduce drop-out rates and improve
career and technical educational programs
going forward?
By creating graduation pathways for career
and college, as we did in HB 5, we will make
high school more relevant to students so
that they will want to finish their education.
A key part of keeping students in school is
making sure they can read at grade level by
the 4
th
grade so they are ready for middle and
high school.
It is assumed that Texas may be entering
the new biennium with a potential
budget surplus of up to $10 billion. Given
the state’s financial responsibilities and
lingering school finance lawsuit, how do
you recommend the surplus be allocated?
My top priority is to look for ways to return
part of the surplus back to the taxpayers
with cuts in property and business taxes.We
must continue to pass conservative budgets
that adequately fund our education system,
transportation
infrastructure,
critical
services, border security and maintain a
healthy rainy day fund for the future.
Several legislative bills have been filed
to cut, phase out or repeal property and
business taxes. What do you consider
to be the best approach to reducing taxes
in Texas without creating voids in the
state budget?
I worked with Senator Jane Nelson to write
a conservative budget that meets the needs
of our state but also sets aside $4 billion in
property and business tax cuts. There are
many different ways to accomplish this and
I look forward to working with the senators
to formulate that plan.
The Texas housing economy is leading
the nation in the areas of production,
affordability and job creation. A large
measure of this success is due to the
economic success of the state. What do you
think needs to be done (or not done) at the
state level to ensure that Texas sustains its
top ranked status in the future?
We must continue to be a fiscally
conservative state. Texas has become the
nation's economic leader by keeping
taxes low, regulation light and protecting
businesses from frivolous lawsuits.
It is estimated that 25% of the final cost of
a home goes towards regulations imposed
by the government. When you served on
the Senate Intergovernmental Relations
committee, you witnessed this firsthand.
With
Lt. Governor
Dan Patrick
First and foremost, congratulations on
being elected as Texas’ new Lieutenant
Governor. What are your top priorities as
the President of the Senate?
Thank you. My top priority is to keep our
economy strong and continue the robust
job growth we've experienced over the last
several years. This will be accomplished
by reducing property and business
taxes, improving our infrastructure and
reforming education so students are
prepared for college and career through
increased emphasis on work skills.
We must also continue to protect our
border from the threat of drug cartels and
criminal gangs.
During your time in the Senate,
you served on committees such as
Finance, Transportation, Health and
Human Services, Criminal Justice,
Intergovernmental Relations and chair of
Education. What are some of your most
memorable experiences of serving on
these committees?
By Dan Patrick
