Two Texas Representatives Talk Budget, Census & Latinos
By Marc Rodriguez
Depending on whom you ask, you’re very likely to hear several different appraisals regarding the overall condition of the state of Texas. “Economically, we’re outperforming the rest of the country” is something you’d probably hear.
Conversely, one could express concern about the state’s significant budgetary shortfall: $27 billion. The sheer amount of all the sociopolitical rhetoric being bandied back and forth has the inherent tendency to complicate things for many of us – particularly post-2011 State Legislative Session (January-May 2011).
And adding to the already existing legislative session excitement was the governor’s decision to get state legislators to reconvene for a special session (June 2011) as a result of business unfinished. Wanting to minimize the information clutter and hear from individuals closer to and engaged in the legislative “fray,” I decided to meet with a few people who could deconstruct the general and special legislative sessions and, with any luck, provide some clarity.
State Rep. Jose Menendez (D)-District 124 and State Rep. Aaron Pena (R)-District 40 were gracious enough to speak to me and provide their general take and opinions concerning the condition of the state per the two legislative sessions.
State Rep. José Menendez
Question 1: What are your general thoughts about how the general and special sessions played out? What do you believe was the biggest obstacle that faced the House?
Personally, I feel these sessions were the most difficult that I can remember. Overall, the sessions will probably turn out to have the most severe impact on education, health care and services to the most vulnerable populations of our state: the elderly, the young and the disabled. Obviously, the budget deficit was the largest challenge, and one that was not even marginally resolved.
The second largest obstacle has to be what long-term impacts these budgetary and legislative mandates will have on public education, health care and services to the growing senior populations, and how we are going to address them in an even more difficult budget cycle in two years.
Question 2: The 2010 Census figures were obviously significant in terms of state growth. What are your thoughts about the state’s Latino population growth? And what is your posit for the constituency’s future?
The state demographer has been predicting the rise in the Latino population almost exactly in line with what occurred since at least 2005, so these numbers should have come as no surprise to anyone. In fact, I am certain that these populations’ shifts were well anticipated, and that careful thought was given to how the leadership would respond in terms of “managing” these very significant increases in the state’s ethnic makeup.
One answer obviously is seen in the totally majority controlled makeup of the redistricting maps. Others are seen in the attempts to pass legislation like the Sanctuary City bills, which were designed as another control measure over the fast-growing Hispanic numbers.
The future of the Latino constituency is answered simply: voter registration and motivation. Latinos simply MUST register to vote, educate themselves on the issues and show up at the polls. The demographics predict – and most probably, very accurately – that Latinos will, in fact, be the majority by 2015 or so. But we already have the population to significantly influence almost any election. We must get the Latino voters to the polls every election.
Question 3: What sort of legislative plans does the House have to begin addressing the problematic conditions with the state?
Speaker Straus has already requested that House members submit recommendations for interim charges, which will be considered by the various committees during the interim before the next session. The speaker is responsible for developing a series of charges or analytical tasks for the committees that includes matters left unresolved from the previous session and which undoubtedly reappear in the next session.
Additionally, obvious issues such as health care, education, transportation and major budgetary issues will be included, as well as a wide range of subjects that reflect members’ interests and focus. These will serve as a sort of “sneak preview” of the 83rd session in 2013.
I have recommended four that I believe are very important, including a program to integrate low-income housing tax credits with Medicaid assisted living funds to provide more affordable housing for our growing senior population that allows them to stay in their communities, enjoy as much independent living as possible and reduce unnecessary costs on nursing homes for the state.
As vice chairman of the State Affairs committee, I have urged adding an analysis of the impact that a major rule change by the Environmental Protection Agency will have on the state’s ability to produce clean, reliable and affordable electric power throughout Texas. I believe that the committee needs to make this issue a priority so that we can respond effectively next session and ensure that Texas, not the federal government, controls our energy production and distribution.
Question 4: What are your general thoughts about the state’s $27 billion shortfall? And how do you believe it had an affect on the general and special sessions?
The shortfall was primarily the result of the structural deficit that was created with the passage of property tax reform and the business tax change over to the margins tax in special session in 2006 under control of the Republican leadership. The other cause was the use of over $13 billion in stimulus funds in 2009 to prop up and expand school spending even as it was recognized that money was a onetime occurrence. This left a major gap in funding even before revenue projections were made.
Obviously, starting a session $27 billion in the hole with no effort to generate new revenue set the pattern for the entire session. When the only options were cut, cut and cut, and the vast majority of the membership believed this was, in fact, the “will of the voters,” then the affect on the sessions could only be acrimonious and combative.
As happened in 2003 with that budget deficit, many programs that were cut this time will have a tremendous impact on moderate- and low-income families. In 2013, I intend to focus on finding ways to restore those cuts, and hopefully, the outcry of the tens of thousands of citizens who are going to be affected in the coming months will help lend some force to those efforts.
State Rep. Aaron Peña
Question 1: What are your general thoughts about how the general and special sessions played out? What do you believe was the biggest obstacle that faced the House?
Living in (South) Texas, we’ve become accustomed to hurricanes. That’s the metaphor I use for these past sessions, particularly with regard to the budget shortfall. We wanted to survive and endure. We were faced with cost provisions that absolutely required a balanced budget.
We had two choices: to raise taxes or cut where we could. And my colleagues and I were committed to not raise taxes. We really felt that in order to survive and endure, we may have to make difficult decisions now to work toward a better future.
Did we leave the sessions completely satisfied? Not necessarily. It was a landmark that saw dramatic changes across the board. It was stressful, but I enjoyed the experience and the interaction that took place.
Question 2: The 2010 Census figures were obviously significant in terms of state growth. What are your thoughts about the state’s Latino population growth? And what is your posit for the constituency’s future?
I think [the Census] represents a foretelling of the future of our country, even more particularly for our state of Texas. The dynamic certainly presents us with challenge – having to adopt a “politics of the present with a politics of the future” model. These demographic shifts will once again force us to adapt. But these are demographic shifts that the entire country will be encountering.
These international dynamics will necessitate a greater investment in education in order to be competitive globally. A transnational marketplace has arrived, and we need a highly educated community in order to become more productive.
I strongly feel it’s up to Texas and California to lead in this regard and provide the model(s) for the rest of the country inasmuch as our two states share the significant growth trends in terms of the Latino population.
Question 3: What sort of legislative plans does the House have to begin addressing the problematic conditions with the state?
We need to address the structural shortfall within the tax system, not necessarily by raising taxes. That could potentially mean by increasing the overall tax base within the state. We need to continue to recruit and attracting model companies to Texas and do a better job of getting residents back to work. We need to continue training our state’s workforce, and that has a direct correlation to higher standards within our school systems.
We also need more discipline within the state – that’s what will bring businesses to our state. We need to keep investments within our state, maintain our nimbleness and maintain the traditions that have made our state great. We need to relearn to live together. Latinos have a rightful place in the mainstream community. We need to flourish and not be diminished … Republicans need to be sensitive to the realities of Texas.
Question 4: What are your general thoughts about the state’s $27 billion shortfall? And how do you believe it had an affect on the general and special sessions?
It was a difficult challenge, but it was a challenge we met. Taxes were not raised, and we passed a balanced budget. That is not to say that it was that simple. We are going to have an opportunity to come back next session and tackle many of the underlining issues that confront Texas.
Marc Rodriguez is vice president/co-founder of the Latino Briefing Room, a Latino news-focused Web network providing content on commerce, government, religion and breaking news. The site is geared toward Latinos in the United States who want to stay on top of pertinent issues. For more information, visit www.latinobriefingroom.com.
[Photo By The Trucking Tourist]