Q&A: Meet the 4 candidates running for Texas comptroller

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

How will you work with state agencies and legislators to promote a stable Texas economy?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

With thousands of students using Texas Education Freedom Accounts for the first time this school year, what will be your objectives in administering the program?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What can the comptroller’s office do to promote transparency into the state economy and tax programs?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire before press time.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Telling Texans honestly where their money is going, starting with the $1 billion private school voucher program, and ensuring corporate tax dodgers pay their fair share.

How will you work with state agencies and legislators to promote a stable Texas economy?

My office will offer robust data detailing what agencies need to deliver effective, efficient and fair government to Texans. And their representatives will receive an honest evaluation of the risks to our prosperity associated with failing to meet those obligations.

With thousands of students using Texas Education Freedom Accounts for the first time this school year, what will be your objectives in administering the program?

I will ensure fairness by closely monitoring Odyssey's administration of the program and providing greater transparency about who is benefiting most—and who is not—from this program compared to the needs of our public schools.

What can the comptroller’s office do to promote transparency into the state economy and tax programs?

More than contributing to a raw data dump, the auditors in my office [will] provide high-quality analysis so Texans can clearly see where their money is going and who is benefiting from it, if not them.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Ensuring that we have the water, energy, education needed to meet the needs of Texans today and in the future. Use the ESF to accelerate water projects, encourage the cleanest and most reliable energy and protect the ratepayer, and fully fund public schools.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

My priorities for the comptroller’s office are to depoliticize our state’s taxes, spending and investments. No more tax breaks for data centers. No more contracts for big political donors. Divest from Texas' $280 million in Israel bonds, and no more Texas taxpayer money for foreign bonds of any kind.

How will you work with state agencies and legislators to promote a stable Texas economy?

As Comptroller I would announce that the Comptroller’s office will no longer enforce unconstitutional laws, like the anti-boycott law that requires state contractors pledge in writing not to participate in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to end genocide and apartheid in Israel.

With thousands of students using Texas Education Freedom Accounts for the first time this school year, what will be your objectives in administering the program?

We must end school vouchers and reinvest in Texas public schools. We need free high-quality education for all students, not a flawed lottery for cash handouts to a lucky few. School vouchers are unfair for parents, students, and schools and bad for taxpayers.

What can the comptroller’s office do to promote transparency into the state economy and tax programs?

The comptroller’s office should do much more to make the state’s economy, taxing, and spending transparent. There could be billboards about the budget, just like TxDOT’s billboards about road safety. The comptroller’s website currently offers limited “paginas in español;" I am calling for all content to be available in Spanish.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Money in politics is the biggest challenge facing Texas; it impacts every other issue. I am proud to be running for office with the Green Party. The Green Party doesn’t accept billionaire, PAC, or lobbyist money, and neither do I. I am running for comptroller to represent Texans, not donors!

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Every dollar sent to Austin must be spent wisely and returned to Texans whenever possible. I’m focused on rooting out waste, fraud and abuse and returning savings to taxpayers through property tax relief. My work began when I was sworn-in as comptroller, and will continue when elected to this position.

How will you work with state agencies and legislators to promote a stable Texas economy?

Every Texan deserves the opportunity to keep more of their hard-earned money. I’ll work with the Legislature to cut waste with surgical precision and make Texas affordable again.

With thousands of students using Texas Education Freedom Accounts for the first time this school year, what will be your objectives in administering the program?

The Texas Education Freedom Account Program has succeeded because parents know what’s best for their children. We’re giving families the freedom and tools to pursue their own vision for their children’s education. My goal is to make this program available to every family and student who wishes to participate.

What can the comptroller’s office do to promote transparency into the state economy and tax programs?

Taxpayers have a right to know exactly how their money is spent. That’s why in my first week as comptroller, I began auditing government. I’m committed to making government as transparent as possible because sunlight is the best disinfectant.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Texas in the next 5 years?

Texans should have the opportunity to own a home and live the American Dream, but property taxes are out of control. I am committed to making Texas more affordable, and as comptroller, I’ll use every tool available to encourage local taxing entities to cut taxes and deliver relief.