What can be done to audit and decrease the number of unfunded state mandates to local governments?
As a former county judge, I well know about unfunded mandates. That’s why I successfully obtained reimbursement to counties for special election expenses during the last legislative session. Texas has the second largest state population in the country and continues to grow, yet the cost of providing services to our residents is being ignored at the state level. For example, costs for the treatment of indigent patients have soared while the state simply shifted payment responsibilities from the state to cities, counties and public hospitals. I believe we need more honesty about the demands on all government budgets to fund needed services. The state should use performance reviews and audits of existing agencies and programs as well as the sunset process to thoroughly examine the propensity of those agencies and programs to pass on charges to counties, schools and cities in the form of unfunded mandates. What will you do to make tax relief a priority? As a member of the House Select Comm
