A Legislator's Perspective | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
State Representative Dwayne Bohac was the guest speaker at the November meeting of the Houston Association of Professional Landmen. Bohac represents Texas District 138, essentially Northwest Houston, in the state legislature. He is Vice Chairman of the House Business and Industry Committee, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, and Vice Chairman of the TEA Party caucus.
Representative Bohac stressed the critical role of the states in the American system of government. He maintains that the states are the critical component in that they created the federal government as well as the counties and municipalities. He noted that the Texas Constitution stipulates that the Legislature is to meet for 5 months every 2 years and develop a 2 year budget in each session. The Legislature must end its session after 5 months, but the Governor can reconvene a special session if necessary.
According to the state constitution, Texas cannot run a deficit nor keep a surplus for a prolonged period. Rather, excess funds must be returned to the people. The Legislature determined that the best way to do this was by reducing future property and franchise taxes and this was approved in November via state wide referendum. Bohac feels confident that through prudent fiscal management, further tax reductions are possible.
Bohac indicated that the state of Texas is primarily concerned with Education, Medication, Incarceration, and Transportation. However, the most recent State budget provides $1 billion for border security as federal efforts were considered inadequate. Representative Bohac seemed primarily concerned with Education and Transportation. However, he pointed out that the State is responsible for providing health care for those who would not receive it otherwise.
Representative Bohac feels that in our society education is of paramount importance. It is the engine of upward social and financial mobility; it is the “great equalizer”. He maintains that our education system is in dire need of innovation, and sees innovation as coming through competition. Although he did not mention school vouchers per se, he said that competition in the marketplace requires consumers be provided with accurate information. He envisions competition between public and private schools, and between public schools themselves.
To make this works, the Legislature has developed a plan whereby schools will be given grades and the parents, as customers, would be free to choose which schools their children will attend. Schools which fail for 2 consecutive years will have to file an action plan with the Texas Education Association. If they are still failing after two years of implementation of the plan, the State will take control of the school.
Representative Bohac related that the transportation system in Texas has historically been hampered by uncertainty of funding, with longer term projects left hanging in the balance pending funding for completion. To address this, the Legislature has passed a strategic transportation initiative to provide for stable funding for major initiatives.
In summary, I found Representative Bohac’s remarks informative and provocative. To learn more about him and his views, please go to http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/?district=138 .
