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AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In the upcoming November election, Texas voters could have three selections for who they wish to handle the state’s funds as Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Texas Comptroller, often known as the state’s Chief Financial Officer, is tasked with appropriating, managing, and reporting Texas’ multi-billion greenback finances. The company displays the economic system and communicates with the state legislature in planning the finances.
Incumbent Glenn Hegar, a Republican, mentioned he’s in search of a 3rd time period as a result of he needs to proceed guaranteeing Texas is in a wholesome fiscal state for generations to come back.
“There’s been a lot of uncertainty in the national, the global economy over the course of the last two and a half years, and watching Texas be able to grow out of the pandemic downturn, continue to improve,” he mentioned. “It’s important that we continue to be on the trajectory of economic opportunity and economic development for people in the state of Texas.”
He faces a problem from Democrat Janet Dudding, a licensed public accountant of 35 years from Bryan-College Station.
She’s touting her resume as a governmental accountant and says she hopes to take a brand new method to the workplace if elected.
Dudding has criticized Hegar, saying she doesn’t suppose he has maximized Texans’ taxpayer {dollars}. Instead, she needs to make use of the state to concentrate on increasing companies to Texans in want.
“We’ve got the ninth largest economy in the world, the second largest economy in the nation — and yet we’re 45th in public [education], 43rd in public health, 41st in air and water quality,” she mentioned.
There’s additionally a 3rd candidate, V. Alonzo Echevarria-Garza, who’s running as a Libertarian. Nexstar tried to succeed in out to Echevarria-Garza to increase the identical interview alternative, however couldn’t discover a marketing campaign web site or contact information.
Nexstar interviewed the candidates about their prime priorities. It’s price noting, the Comptroller doesn’t have the facility to determine how Texas spends its cash, however could make suggestions to the legislature.
Property taxes
Dudding is proposing an in-depth research of “the methodology of the procedures that are used in property tax appraisals” and the elimination of Texas Tax Code Chapter 313 — an settlement between the state and corporations that select to convey companies right here, in alternate for a 10-year low cost on their property tax payments.
“We need to get together with…the legislature…tear this thing apart and rework it so that it’s more equitable. We shouldn’t be forced out of our houses because of taxes,” Dudding mentioned.
Hegar mentioned he’s involved about housing affordability and property taxes. Many key Republican lawmakers have already signaled a want to chop property taxes in the upcoming 2023 legislative session, however the incumbent didn’t point out whether or not or not he helps doing so. His marketing campaign web site, nonetheless, describes him as “a relentless fighter against tax increases on hard-working Texans.”
Broadband Expansion
U.S. Census Bureau knowledge exhibits almost 2.8 million households lack broadband entry and high-speed web connectivity.
The state legislature created a broadband improvement workplace, delegating it underneath the Texas Comptroller’s purview.
Hegar mentioned exterior of the chief duties of his workplace, his at the start precedence is to attach Texans to web.
“My office is in charge of the federal dollars that are coming down and setting up procedures and processes upon which we’re going to try to work with the private sector to grant dollars and get dollars out so we can connect the state of Texas,” he mentioned.
Dudding applauds the work began by Hegar, however she wish to broaden broadband even additional.
“Now is like the perfect opportunity with the money coming down from the federal government from the Biden administration,” Dudding mentioned.
According to Dudding’s marketing campaign web site, she would additionally wish to “explore local broadband as a utility fund of local governments to keep costs down, provide reliable service and… a revenue stream to rural local governments.”
Legalization of marijuana, because it pertains to tax income
Hegar doesn’t assist the legalization of marijuana, saying he isn’t satisfied taxing it might considerably enhance the state’s income.
“Other states that have legalized marijuana and the usage of it they’ve also seen that the black market has actually thrived,” he mentioned. “I think we’re going to create a lot more problems than we would otherwise if we legalize it across the state of Texas for everyday use.”
Dudding alternatively, totally helps legalizing marijuana and thinks taxing and regulating the product could be useful to the state.
“We’ve got enough other states that have legalized adult use recreationally that we can build best practices and build a Texas model,” she mentioned. “It’s legal almost everywhere else. It’s time to get with the program.”
Early voting begins Oct. 24. Election Day is Nov. 8.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link
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