| As the Texas Transportation Commission met last Thursday in Fort Worth, Democratic candidate for governor, Hank Gilbert, was launching a solutions campaign to address our growing transportation problems in the Lone Star State. The praise continues to roll in for Gilbert on his plan as WFAA's Inside Politics weighed in on the launch this morning:
Colleen McCain Nelson:
Well it's a bold move for sure. It's tough to campaign on a tax increase, but he actually acknowledged the reality that Texas has billions and billions of dollars in transportation needs and no good way to pay for them. Credit for acknowledging the reality and it was also an attempt to get some attention in a race where he has been overshadowed by some of the other candidates. He said 'look at me I have an idea' and he gets points for that.
Gromer Jeffers:
The 'no toll roads' will help, but you're right it will be tough to campaign on a tax increase. Give him credit; he is trying to develop a solution to a problem that has been around for awhile. He is talking about solutions. Ideas. He is being bold.
Since 2006, Gilbert has been hands on with the transportation issue and has worked hard to bring down Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor boondoggle. It should come as no surprise that the East Texas rancher has come up with a thoughtful, comprehensive plan to address our transportation problems.
Gilbert's plan mirrors the Local Option Tax plan that many North Texas legislators, Republican and Democrat, championed as a step forward on the transportation debate in solving transportation problems. I agreed that the plan was at least offering a solution and deserved an opportunity to be considered; however, the legislation was killed during the 81st legislative session and our transportation problems continue to escalate.
Consultants, pundits, and political talking heads will say that it is political suicide to talk of increasing taxes in an election year. The fact is that Republican and Democratic candidates have chosen to think about their political careers versus embracing profiles in courage moments and addressing the realities of our problems we face today. It is easy to campaign and say "cut taxes," but it is a heck of a lot harder to balance budgets, address problems, and plan for the future without money in the kitty. Giving money away to the fat cats of our society while alley cats are left to scrap is no way to run government, but that is how Republicans like to govern.
Hank Gilbert stepped out with a profiles in courage moment this past week and declared that this campaign wasn't about him, but about doing what is right for Texas--consequences be damned. How refreshing!
Hank, we're all listening. |
