Newspaper Tree Guide

Name. Patrick B. “Pat” Haggerty

Age: 63

Occupation: Real Estate Broker

Website: www.ReElectHaggerty.com

Residence: Northeast

Relevant Experience:

Served in Texas Legislature since 1989; served eight years on El Paso City Council prior to election to the Legislature; and served in the U.S. Army.

1. What do you believe is the single largest priority for El Paso in the next legislative session?

There are several – First, I will work with my colleagues in the House and Senate to secure continued funding for the Medical School. Second, I will continue working to address the explosive growth at Fort Bliss as a result of BRAC. I have already helped to secure funding support for new schools that are needed to address the growth, and as a ranking member of the Transportation Committee, I will work with Commissioner Ted Houghton and others in the community to address our transportation infrastructure needs. I am pleased with the expansion of Fort Bliss and I am in a unique position in the Legislature to find solutions to our infrastructure problems without burdening local taxpayers.

2. Is there a leader of the El Paso delegation, should there be, and if so, who is it or who should it be?

Depending upon the issue or committee considering the issue, one of us may naturally take the lead. But, when it comes to El Paso’s priority goals, to be most effective, the delegation should work together as a team, incorporating input from city, county, business leaders, and school districts to advance El Paso’s agenda. I am fortunate to have a solid working relationship with all members of our delegation, something I fear my opponent would not have, seeing how he is beholden to Speaker Craddick who has not been a friend to El Paso.

3. How specifically would you work with the delegation on the El Paso agenda? Would you commit to regular meetings both with legislators and staff?

Currently, we meet as a delegation in advance of session with city, county, school, and business leaders to identify goals and set priorities. We also meet on a regular basis during the session. And as I stated above, I have a solid working relationship with our delegation so I do not hesitate to walk down the hall to talk about an issue, and I encourage them to seek me out in the same way. When it comes to El Paso’s needs, I have no problem working with anyone.

4. Do you support toll roads? Under what circumstances ought tolls be used? How would you fund roads and highways if not through tolls?

I do not support tolling existing highways, or selling or leasing our roads to foreign companies. I do, however, believe tolling may be a necessary option for new roads to address our traffic needs, such as the Northeast Bypass, if the alternative option is to raise taxes. I am also enthusiastic about a bill I co-authored in the 2007 session that enables cities and counties to create Transportation Reinvestment Zones, which can be used to capture a portion of the new ad valorem tax revenue generated by the economic growth adjacent to road construction to help fund the cost of current and future projects. This is an innovative way to fund needed transportation projects without tolling or raising taxes. As a ranking member of the House Transportation Committee, I am in an advantageous position to address our transportation needs.

5. What is the role of state government in community development, and what will you do to make it happen?

While I am a strong advocate of local community control, there are some instances where state policy and community development meet. In those cases, I believe state policy should foster small business development, not hinder it. State tax policy should promote development rather than discourage it. And, state policy should support strong schools and public safety—both building blocks of community growth and development.

6. Will you vote for Tom Craddick as House Speaker if he again is a candidate?

Absolutely not. I am running for Speaker of the Texas House to restore integrity to the leadership in Austin. It is well known that my opponent was recruited to run by Craddick, and will be beholden to him if elected. This would be tragic for the people of House District 78. Tom Craddick withheld our medical school funding for over two years; blocked illegal immigration reform that would have protected our borders by killing twenty-four illegal immigration bills before they even came to the House floor; favors tuition deregulation that has caused our college tuition to skyrocket; was opposed to restoring cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and opposes the top 10% percent rule that helps hundreds of kids from El Paso attend Texas colleges. I can, and will do better for El Paso and our state as Speaker of the Texas House.

7. Do you support expansion of CHIP, and if so, how will you ensure more people sign up and the program is funded?

I supported a bill during the last session that restored the cuts made to CHIP two years earlier when the state experienced a budget shortfall. Those cuts had resulted in local taxpayers having to pick up the tab for uninsured children who were ending up in our county hospital and emergency rooms. Regarding further expansion of CHIP, I will continue to support solutions that balance the needs of Texas’ children with those of our local taxpayers.

8. How would you balance the tax burden between sales taxes and business taxes? Is there too much of one or the other, and which would you cut or raise?

I am opposed to expanding the sales tax any further. Texas already has one of the highest in the nation, and increasing the sales tax would only burden hard-working middle-class families. My opponent is on record supporting the expansion of the sales tax.

9. Do you support the reopening of Speaking Rock, and what steps would you take to help it reopen?

I support the Tiguas’ right to economic self-sufficiency. In the last session, the entire El Paso House delegation came together to try and pass a bill that would have reopened Speaking Rock. The bill died on a tie vote. Once again, Speaker Tom Craddick did El Paso no favors by choosing not to cast the deciding vote. To address this issue going forward, I would propose that our delegation work with our state and federal legislative colleagues to determine what can be done to obtain recognition for the Tiguas under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) rules.