This week, the Austin Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum on key business issues with the candidates vying to succeed State Rep. Elliott Naishtat. Chamber 2016 State Advocacy Chair Gerardo Interiano of Google hosted all 7 candidates for a roundtable discussion on their support for the "deal closing" Texas Enterprise Fund, increasing Central Texas' share of state transportation dollars and reducing state capture of $270 million in local property taxes (AKA Robin Hood) raised for our local public schools.

Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) incentives to lure high-value companies

All candidates supported continuing TEF. Huey Rey Fischer provided support without additional qualification. Several candidates said that the Legislature should require additional criteria to be eligible for incentives (Hinojosa, Johnson, Way). Several stated they supported TEF if the Legislature continued with existing requirements that TEF be transparent and have clawback provisions (Dunaway, Rocap, Schrum) for companies who don't meet their contract. The Chamber supports the Texas Enterprise Fund. Last session, 90 state and regional business organizations supported a $200 million appropriation.

State Transportation Funding

All candidates said that Austin did not have enough transportation funding if area congestion is factored in.

• Supporters for indexing the state gas tax, which hasn't been updated in decades (Fischer, Way).
• Supporters of the telecommuting bill passed by Rep. Israel and vetoed last session (Fischer, Hinojosa).
• Supporters for the local option bill to allow local government bodies to increase vehicle registration to finance infrastructure.
• Supporters for Rep. Israel's efforts to reduce tolls for trucks who use SH130 (Fischer, Hinojosa).
• Support for state funding of rail and/or transit (Fischer, Dunaway, Johnson).

The Chamber supports all these proposals to make major infrastructure improvements.

Reduce State's $270 Million Capture (AKA Robin Hood) from Austin ISD taxpayers

Outdated state law will take $270 million in property taxes from Austin ISD taxpayers. Candidates all declared this an issue.

• Supporters for updating the state's 25 year old formulas to account for our higher relative costs of education (Way, Shrum, Fischer).
• Supporters for increased funding for limited English proficient students and students on free or reduced price lunches (Way, Shrum, Fischer).
• Hinojosa suggested that the Legislature attempt to again pass House Public Education Chair Jimmie Don Aycock's school finance measure, which would have reduced Robin Hood by $40 million (AISD's Robin Hood payment went up $70M).

The Chamber supports these proposals to keep more of Austin ISD school property taxes in Austin schools.

Additionally,

• Dunaway - double homestead exemption and increase exemption for seniors and disabled veterans.
• Rocap and Kenton said he would not file legislation but would work with the majority party.

Thanks to all the candidates for their commitment to public service. We look forward to working with them in the future.

Posted by Drew Scheberle, Senior Vice President of the Austin Chamber.