NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – This week’s episode of Eye on Politics (authentic air date: Dec. 12) is all concerning the begin of the 88th Texas Legislature. CBS 11 political reporter Jack Fink went to the Texas Capitol and spoke with a number of state lawmakers from North Texas about what they plan to perform this session.
Each week, CBS 11 political reporter Jack Fink breaks down a number of the largest political tales grabbing headlines in North Texas and past. Watch the newest episode of Eye on Politics within the video participant above and stream new episodes reside each Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. on CBS Information DFW.
Property tax reduction
State lawmakers are again in session on the Texas Capitol this week, and this yr they’ve a record-breaking budget surplus of almost $33 billion.
The large query in Austin is methods to spend it and the way a lot of it to spend. One of many high priorities for each Republicans and Democrats is offering householders with some type of property tax reduction.
It isn’t simply householders. Small enterprise house owners additionally say they want a break on their property taxes.
“It is only a regressive tax,” mentioned Andy Ellard, proprietor and normal supervisor of Manda Machine Firm.
Hear extra from Ellard within the video participant beneath:
North Texas lawmakers share their priorities
Jack spoke with quite a lot of state lawmakers concerning the 88th Texas Legislature. Among the many matters listed as their priorities: college safety, well being care and the border.
State Rep. Craig Goldman, R – Fort Price
Among the many lawmakers Jack talked to — Rep. Craig Goldman of Fort Price. He was elected Chair of the Home Republican Caucus.
“I feel you are going to see a whole lot of laws on psychological well being. I feel you are going to see a whole lot of laws put forth on offering safety for faculties,” he mentioned. “Utilizing cash in our funds goes to be essential to fund these applications.”
Goldman additionally named border safety as one thing the legislature ought to give attention to. He mentioned Texas has more and more needed to put cash towards the problem as a result of “the federal authorities would not do their job.”
“So long as the federal authorities would not do their job and defend our federal border, then it is as much as the folks of the state of Texas to guard the border,” he mentioned.
Watch the complete interview with Goldman beneath:
State Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, D – Mesquite
Jack additionally spoke with Democratic Rep. Victoria Neave Criado, Chair of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus, about what she hopes to perform this session.
“I count on a fruitful session the place we are able to transfer previous the political polarization that we see typically through the marketing campaign season,” she mentioned. “Hoping people will transition extra to a governing mode in order that we are able to ship outcomes for the folks of Texas.”
Criado mentioned she is happy to broaden the scope of what she is specializing in this session together with her new Chair place.
“It is appropriation,” she mentioned. “Uplifting laws of our Mexican-American Legislative Caucus members.”
She additionally named veterans points and the financial system as areas that have to be funded.
Watch the complete interview with Criado beneath:
State Rep. Nicole Collier, D – Fort Price
Throughout her dialog with Jack, Democratic Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Price mentioned she’s excited to work on laws that can assist our neighborhood.
That features addressing well being care entry points.
“There are such a lot of individuals who do not have medical health insurance,” she mentioned. “And we may use a few of these [budget surplus] {dollars} to extend entry to medical health insurance.”
Collier additionally desires the legislature to place funding towards training and college security:
“We’d like to verify our lecturers obtain ample funding, our faculties are safe, not solely our public faculties, however our schools and universities as effectively.”
Watch the complete interview with Collier beneath:
State Sen. Drew Springer, R – Gainesville
When requested by Jack how the funds surplus ought to be spent, Republican State Sen. Drew Springer of Gainesville mentioned he believes the bulk ought to return to taxpayers, within the type of some kind of property tax reduction.
“However we will not give all of it away as a result of we do have some issues we have to deal with,” Springer mentioned.
Among the many issues he mentioned want addressing — psychological well being, college security and border safety.
“I might like to see 150 million {dollars} go to an enterprise fund … to draw the 5,000 psychological well being professionals we’re brief,” he mentioned. “We do it with corporations, why not do it with people.”
Watch the complete interview with Springer beneath:
