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On January 14, 2016 the Texas Tribune held a conversation with Celia Israel, Eddie Rodriguez and Paul Workman. The moderator was Evan Smith.
 
Smith – Are we better off after the 84th?

  • Israel: Yes and discussions took place (she elaborates more during the Q&A portion).
  • Workman: We passed a good conservative budget last session.
  • Rodriguez: Does not think work last session represented Austin community as a whole. In regards to property tax relief, it was not very substantial.

 
Smith – Property tax cuts, was cut worth doing? Was juice worth the squeeze?

  • Workman: Of course was worth doing, still see a benefit from it. House felt like sales tax reduction would impact more citizens. Would like to see sales tax cuts if they cannot do substantial property tax cuts.
  • Israel: Did not make substantial change, did not vote for the budget when it came back from the Senate
  • Rodriguez: Does not think further property tax cuts would be a good decision. Renters do not benefit from cuts in property tax.
  • Workman: Would be proponent for further property tax cuts, anytime we can cut taxes we should.

 
Smith – Revised revenue estimate? Can Texas afford cuts in the future? Could they afford the ones already done?

  • Workman: Would have still cut taxes even knowing oil would go to $30 a barrel and would still advocate cutting taxes.
  • Israel: Thinks highly of Workman but other issues need addressing. No real leadership in regards to transportation. Needle has been moved forward but thinks visionary things should have been done by the legislature. Still no mass transit system in place.
  • Rodriguez: Cutting taxes not a bad thing, but investments are state’s job. Schools, etc., population is growing, we have to put money in that. If going back in time would have probably voted for a sales tax cut.
  • Workman: Have put about $7b in transportation as a result of the last few sessions and it is a whole lot more than has been done in a long time.
  • Rodriguez: Gas tax is a declining revenue source.

 
Smith – Open carry? Do you feel safe?

  • Rodriguez: Yes, feels safe but probably due more to law enforcement. Does have concern with open carry on college campuses.
  • Israel: Agree there is a safe community. But heard from law enforcement they opposed open carry.
  • Workman: Has not seen anyone with a weapon strapped on and thinks it will ultimately be a non-issue. Did not do an opt-out option because it is going to be a non-issue. The issue of local control is a sensitive subject. There are some things that need to be a local level but there are other issues that require a decision at a state level.
  • Rodriguez: In regards to statement on mass shootings on college campuses, the 2nd amendment has become an all or nothing game. Seems like legislature is saying either all or nothing. Says he is a 2nd amendment supporter.
  • Workman: There needs to be a better job on front end of acquiring a weapon – does agree on mental health check but says current background check is in place and detailed.

 
Smith – Border security?

  • Israel: We did the wrong thing when voting on the border security. Reeked of politics. Voted against it because she does know the border.
  • Rodriguez: Growing government when giving DPS over half a billion dollars. Immigration is a concern but would focus on needs of local law enforcement.
  • Workman: In regards to more deportations in the Obama administration, for him it is about the criminal activity. One problem was DPS circulating down in the area did not know the region.

 
Smith – Education Funding? Still not whole from legislative cuts in 2011?

  • Workman: Funded education back to levels of 2011. Very close to making the system whole. Predicts Supreme Court will overturn Dietz’s ruling. Feel legislature have done a lot in the equity area. New formulas bolstered equity of funding.
  • Israel: Does not believe spending is adequate. Says something about our values to treat education as a fringe benefit and appropriations for public education go up and down like a yo-yo. In the last recession, the state cut education and rainy day fund was not even up for discussion.
  • Rodriguez: In response to $10b-$20b if the court ruled for an education increase as much as $2k for each student. Have to look at fees and taxes. Biggest fear is raising the sales tax.

 
Smith – Health Care? Legislature has told people what they are against? What are you for?

  • Workman: There has been expansion of Medicaid – enrollment has increased. Of course, happier to see people with insurance.
  • Israel: The federal government gave Texas a great opportunity and it was a lost opportunity. Federal government is coming back and asking but – continue to have conservative leadership in place.
  • Rodriguez: Elections do have consequences.
  • Workman: Every single federal government funding program has strings attached and it winds up causing budget issues that cannot be controlled.
  • Rodriquez: State money has strings attached as well.

 
Smith – Party breakdown? Why should D’s be optimistic about next session?

  • Israel: The D’s voice is still critical to the process.
  • Rodriquez: It is a two party state. Feels he needs to be there to fight for issues.
  • Workman: In response to question from Smith, does not agree there are three parties. Feels Republicans are fairly united.  Workman would not commit to supporting Straus but pointed out he is the only one that has filed for that role.

 
Q&A

  • Israel thinks Texans are better off because telecommuting passed, better jail conditions for pregnant women, etc.
  • Workman in answer to question of redistricting – it is the system we have but encourages questioner to talk to representative about concerns.
  • Rodriguez thinks redistricting is probably the largest problem with politics. Supportive of having a non-partisan committee draw the lines.
  • Workman in regards to the border, said once we get border under control then the next thing is to talk about what to do with the immigrants that are here.
  • In regards to question on death penalty, Rodriguez said a moratorium is in order. At a minimum it should really be studied. Israel feels there is inequitable application of the law. Workman said there is a lot that needs to be done to reform criminal justice, he is in favor of the death penalty but needs DNA to support it.
  • Rodriguez said he is working on flood mitigation district and will keep working on it with Workman.
  • Workman agreed and said a lot of things need to be done in the area such as brush clearing but will also be working on flood mitigation during next session.
  • Workman responded to question on election process, pointing out he has another job and not sure if it is broken in the state of Texas. Said already have plenty of disclosure.
  • Rodriguez said he thinks redistricting issue would go a long way to addressing concerns in the political landscape.
  • Israel said she feels block walking keeps her in touch with voter and for her it is all grassroots.