In Austin this week, I asked state Rep. John Frullo about the issue of having so many colleagues who seem to believe they were elected to represent local government officials as opposed to the voters in their districts. I used as an example the Quinnipiac Poll showing massive support for the 2.5 percent property tax ratification election trigger in which every measured group favored this basic element of House Bill 2 by huge margins and yet, a significant number of legislators don’t want to vote for such.
Sidestepping the critique of fellow legislators, Frullo expressed his full support of the 2.5 percent election trigger on local property tax increases. Yet he expressed another fact of being a legislator that further bolsters my opinion that we have some elected officials who truly do not give a damn about representing voters who elect them but rather hold office solely for the benefit of local elected officials and certain civic cheerleaders.
Frullo said that throughout his time in the House, the number one and most common thing constituents are truly angry about is their property taxes. In other words, if you are representing Texas voters you must be serious about meaningful reform of the property tax system.
Frullo wasn’t trying to make the case against many of his colleagues but he did. For well over a decade property tax issues have been at the top of voter frustration. To not support a serious tightening of the system as it relates to local government is to throw sand, or worse, in the eyes of one’s voters.
Who does your legislator represent? HB 2 is a good test.
Sidestepping the critique of fellow legislators, Frullo expressed his full support of the 2.5 percent election trigger on local property tax increases. Yet he expressed another fact of being a legislator that further bolsters my opinion that we have some elected officials who truly do not give a damn about representing voters who elect them but rather hold office solely for the benefit of local elected officials and certain civic cheerleaders.
Frullo said that throughout his time in the House, the number one and most common thing constituents are truly angry about is their property taxes. In other words, if you are representing Texas voters you must be serious about meaningful reform of the property tax system.
Frullo wasn’t trying to make the case against many of his colleagues but he did. For well over a decade property tax issues have been at the top of voter frustration. To not support a serious tightening of the system as it relates to local government is to throw sand, or worse, in the eyes of one’s voters.