Texans For Fiscal Responsibility
2014 Questionnaire
Candidates for Attorney General For Endorsement Consideration
Name: _____________________________________________________
FIRST NAME LAST NAME
INTRODUCTION
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility will make endorsements during the 2014 election cycle, in both the primary and general elections. We will not necessarily endorse a candidate in every race.
We will not consider for endorsement any candidate who does not complete this questionnaire.
Our endorsement of a candidate is based on our belief that the candidate will adhere to the best practices and highest principles of conservatism and stewardship of the
taxpayers’ resources. Our endorsement of any particular candidate does not represent a criticism of any other candidate in the race.
Men and women of goodwill can—and often will—disagree on the solutions to the issues facing Texas; that debate is healthy and necessary in a democratic republic.
Political races are important because they affect and influence public policy. We pursue policy outcomes that are practical in the context of protecting taxpayers, stewarding the people’s resources, limiting the size of government, promoting individual liberty, encouraging freedom in the marketplace, and meeting public needs with greater efficiency and accountability.
We welcome your comments, questions and thoughts on these and other issues.
REFORMING THE BUDGET
1. STATEMENT: To control government spending at the state and local level, Texas should reform the current constitutional spending limit. Lawmakers should biennially be required to adopt the lower of either the sum of inflation-plus-population-growth or the change in the gross state product.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
Clarifying/related issues
A. STATEMENT: Such a spending limit should only be exceeded at the state level by a 3/4
thsuper-majority, recorded vote of both bodies, and the approval of the governor.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
B. STATEMENT: Such a spending limit should only be exceeded at the local level through a majority vote in an election held on one of the state’s uniform election dates.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
2. STATEMENT: Every expenditure category must include a clear taxpayer impact statement that includes the intended outcomes expected to be attained. When those goals are not met, then the legislature must eliminate those expenditures.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
3. QUESTION: Would you publicly support or oppose a constitutional amendment requiring the Economic Stabilization Fund (or the “rainy day” fund) be maintained at a certain percentage of the state’s General Revenue budget, with excess dollars returned as tax relief?
Support: ________ Oppose: ________
4. Please recommend a program, commission, or agency you would be willing to recommend that the Legislature cut or eliminate. If you cannot, please explain why:
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5. What specific reforms do you intend to make improving the efficiency of the Office of Attorney General?
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TAXES AND REVENUES
1. QUESTION: Will you oppose every effort to increase the overall tax burden in Texas?
Yes: ________ No: ________
2. STATEMENT: The method by which property taxes are calculated and levied should be reformed.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
Clarifying/related issues
A. QUESTION: Would you support or oppose limiting the revenue growth that could be generated from any single piece of property year-over-year?
Support: ________ Oppose: ________
B. QUESTION: Would you support or oppose making members of appraisal review boards answerable to the public through direct election rather than letting the taxing entities continue to appoint them?
Support: ________ Oppose: ________
GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY
1. STATEMENT: The Texas Legislature has mandated that all state expenditures, contracts and grants be made available to the public in a single online database. This provides taxpayers with the ability to hold their elected officials accountable. In the next legislative session, this law should be expanded to include all counties, cities and schools.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
2. STATEMENT: Some specific state taxes and fees are diverted from their intended purpose. A levy should either be used for its intended purpose or abolished.
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
GOVERNMENT REFORM
1. QUESTION: Texas’ constitution requires an “efficient” system of public education.
Free markets have demonstrated that monopolies are inefficient, and that competition drives efficiencies. Would you support or oppose competition in public education?
Support: ________ Oppose: ________
2. QUESTION: Taxing entities in Texas spend millions of dollars on hired lobbyists, often working to oppose taxpayer-led efforts at reform and burden relief. Do you agree or disagree that state law should directly prohibit all taxing entities from using tax dollars to hire lobbyists?
Agree: ________ Disagree: ________
3. QUESTION: Would you publicly support a law requiring all elected officials to disclose the contracts they, their businesses, immediate families, and businesses of immediate families, have with state and local governments entities in Texas?
YES: ________ NO: ________
Why have you answered in this way?
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4. QUESTION: In the most recent legislative session, Democrats and moderates sought to force non-profit organizations to disclose their donors and be subject to political intimidation and harassment. House leadership refused to recognize a vote of two-thirds of the Senate “recalling” the legislation, and the governor vetoed it. Democrats and moderates are calling for the legislation to be filed again in 2015. Will you publicly support or oppose this legislative effort?
SUPPORT: ________ OPPOSE: ________
Why have you answered in this way?
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5. QUESTION: Nationally, conservative personalities such as radio show host Mark Levin and thought leaders Michael Farris and Mark Meckler, have called on the states to hold an “Article V” convention to address an out-of-control federal government. Do you support or oppose this effort?
SUPPORT: ________ OPPOSE: ________
Why have you answered in this way?
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6. QUESTION: It has been alleged that members of the Texas Legislature have used their office to get unqualified students into the University of Texas. As a candidate for attorney general, what specific actions will you take to address these alleged crimes, if any?
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Please sign the completed questionnaire and return it with any comments as quickly as possible.
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Signature of Candidate Date
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PRINT Candidate Name Campaign Phone
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Campaign Mailing Address (Street)
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Campaign Mailing Address (City, State, Zip)
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Campaign E-Mail Address
We will not consider for endorsement any candidate who does not complete this questionnaire.
Mail: Texans for Fiscal Responsibility PO Box 200248
Austin, TX 78720 Fax: (512) 233-1714
E-mail: [email protected]
