Sign Our Petition: We say 'NO" To the proposed Street fee 

Will Texas Become Another Washington, D.C.?

Part 2 of 2

The 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature will soon end on May 27, 2013.  As the session winds down I can't help but notice that our state legislature has failed to tackle many of the state's most important issues even though they are spending approximately $12 billion more than we did in 2011.  What has  happen to common sense, fiscally responsible conservative principles in our state legislature?  Here are just some of the problems that concern me as a citizen. 

We can begin with the fact the legislature has not yet found a long term sensible solution to fund public education.

Another issue is how the state will deal with future water supply shortages. Since the 1980's we have been aware of the risk of not having a reliable supply of water for many communities throughout Texas and we have all experienced the devastating drought these past four years throughout the state. The Texas Water Board comprehensive water plan calls for $3 billion in infrastructure cost for South Texas, yet only $2 billion has been approved by the Legislature and that money is to serve as a loan program so communities can borrow money to deal with their water issues.  

Our system of funding transportation is broke.  In 2009 the Texas Legislature was informed that it needed $313 billion over the next 21 years to properly fund projected transportation needs.  That averages over $10 billion per year!  We underfund transportation needs every year and we continue to divert funds dedicated for transportation, Fund 6, to be used for other General Fund budget items.  All the while the costs of traffic congestion are staggering - leading to higher fuel costs, greater pollution, lost productivity and the constant stress of sitting in a traffic jam.  Without a comprehensive, long-term funding plan all of these problems will only get worst.

But these challenges will remain with us until we properly address our state's priorities, in our tax policies and in our spending. We must restore common sense and proven principles into the Texas Legislature's decision making process.  The future prosperity of Texas and her citizens depend upon the decisions that are made in Austin.  Our elected leaders must be take bold action.  No more evading the tough votes, nor more voting in order to line up the largest donations, and no more campaign promises that won't be fulfilled. This is real leadership. 

Some of our elected leaders have stated publicly they are very concerned about the state budget and they wish to ensure that the taxpayer's money is spent wisely.  Yet, when presented with a proven idea that could possibly save taxpayers billions by cutting wasteful government spending they don't want to talk about it.  One such example of this is the idea of implementing a management process known as Lean Six Sigma (LSS) throughout our state agencies.  Despite documented proof that LSS has been effective in reducing costs and increasing productivity in both government and private industry applications, our elected leaders chose to ignore this idea during the legislative session.

Looking forward, I have great concerns about the state of our state if we failed to implement sound economic policies to properly address all  of these and many more challenges we are facing in Texas.

With that in mind, I am considering another run for political office.  I do so because I am very disappointed as to how our leaders have failed the people of Texas, if not this generation, then certainly the next generation of Texans.

If this is the Texas you want for yourself and your children then I invite you to join with me in this quest. Together, with God's blessings, we can make Texas that shining city on a hill that God intended her to be. I'd like to hear from you. Please send me your thoughts and your ideas and let's start building a better Texas tomorrow, today.

For Texas,

 

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