Democratic leader considering proposing direct payments to Texans

AUSTIN, Texas — State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer has been touring to Austin for legislative classes since he was first elected in 2000.

But this 12 months, the San Antonio Democrat tells us, is totally different than any of those who got here earlier than.

“This is my 11th term.  Every time I come here, there’s some fantastic ideas but no money. So, now we have a little bit of money to invest in our people,” Martinez Fischer instructed us on Inside Texas Politics. “And let’s see who has a better vision of helping middle class Texans struggle through what we know is a very tough time.”

A “little bit of money” is a Texas-sized understatement.

Lawmakers will determine how to spend a document $32.7 billion finances surplus. That is greater than all the finances in 29 different states.

While lowering our property taxes has obtained the lion’s share of the eye heading into the session, Rep. Martinez Fischer says that wouldn’t assist all Texans, akin to renters.

The Democrat says he’d like to focus on the thought of sending inflation help payments straight to Texans.

He argues that, since Republicans speak a lot about liberty and selection, why not give Texans the selection to determine how to spend their very own cash?

“We know times are tough. We’re going to give this to you,” he mentioned. “If you want to buy medicine, you can buy medicine. You want to cut your taxes, you can cut your taxes. You want to help your son or daughter pay that high college tuition? We’ll give you that flexibility.”

And as the brand new chair of the Democratic caucus within the Texas House, Martinez Fischer will maintain a key position within the debate and convey a unique political power to the place.

He remembers his days as a linebacker at San Antonio’s Oliver Wendell Holmes High School and says he nonetheless solely has two speeds: on and off.

“When you come to Austin, you can do two things: you can come up here to be loved, or you can come up here to be feared. And frankly, I get all my love at home, right?  When I come up here, it’s about business,” mentioned Martinez Fischer.