Burnt Orange Report

40/40: An Interview With Senator Frank Madla

By Phillip Martin

Ed. note: Below is an e-mail interview I conducted with the 13-year incumbent of Senate District 19, Senator Frank Madla. Check back later today to read my interview with his primary opponent, Representative Carlos Uresti.

Why are you running again for Senate District 19?

I believe there are unfinished items that I am in a position of leadership and seniority in the Texas Senate that will best serve the constituents of SD 19, particularly bringing to fruition Texas A&M-San Antonio; issues of public school and public school finance, including the unique issues of both urban and rural schools. Also in that list are issues relating to protecting our future water needs while protecting landowner rights, and I want to keep a commitment that I made to retired teachers to try to ameliorate some unintended consequences from legislation passed this past session.

What do you see as the biggest challenges in your upcoming campaign? What separates you from your primary candidate, Rep. Uresti?

My biggest challenge, because I am of the "grassroots" old school, is trying to shake the hand of every voter in Senate District 19.

I think that I have a solid list of accomplishments for those who reside in SD 19 in relation to jobs, education, teachers, and a long list of accomplishments when it comes to health care.

My strong value of honesty and truth has always been my bond. Members know that, once I give my word, they can take it to the bank. I believe that my tenure in the Texas Senate and the legislature gives constituents in SD 19 an effective voice of strength, experience, and seniority, and that means clout for the district when that is critically needed

It seems like – and I may be looking at the numbers completely wrong –most of the families in your district would have been taxed more if House Bill 3 had passed in May. Why did you decide to support and vote for HB 3?

First of all, HB 3, as passed out of the Senate, was quite different than the House version, but it was by no means the end all to fix all. It contained some elements that were a good beginning, especially for SD 19. Without a doubt in my mind, our schools need more money, but this bill supported a plan to bring the equity rate from its current inequity of about 77% up to 92% with an increase per year until it reached 98% equity. That alone was a major step forward. It closed the loophole for businesses avoiding the franchise tax; increased homestead exemptions to $30,000 which would have helped families in my district considerably; increased funding for transportation; increased funding for small and mid-size schools; and increased teacher pay by $3,500 including restoration of the healthcare supplement. All of those things are extremely important to my district.

Do I want even more money for schools? Of course, but that wasn't the option before us. Basically, the bottom line is this: our schools need more money and we all want better schools. Every child should have a quality education regardless of wherever they live. Is this the best we can do? No, but a better solution is going to take a commitment from the state, the business community, and taxpayers.

What has your experience in the Senate taught you about the legislative process?

It has taught me that my opponent does not understand the legislative process in the Senate. In the Senate, you have to be able to work with both sides of the aisle, and I've learned to do that with both moderate and conservative Republicans. Doing so does not mean that you have to give up your values or your party allegiance and loyalties, but you learn how to work together for the good of the whole state and for your own district. We each represent our district in the way we believe is in their best interest. Whether you are from one party or the other, there are similar issues and similar constituent needs that demand similar solutions and that you work together to resolve that have nothing to do with party politics. I think that is something my opponent has not learned, and that would make him completely ineffective. It is probably what allowed me to have the highest percentage of bills passed and signed by the Governor than any other Senator.

To read the rest of the interview, including Senator Madla's response to questions about his views on school finance, his recent support of HJR 6, and what he feels are his greatest accomplishments in his long legislative career, click on the link below.

What do you believe needs to be done about school finance and property tax reform?

I feel that, when we re-write the formula for school finance, every
component of the education of the child needs to be included in that formula. Nothing can be excluded because, if so, it impacts the education of the child. For example, in West Texas, some of the districts stretch across thousands of square acres, and if the child cannot get to the school, and the school cannot afford to provide transportation to the school, they are not going to receive an education. In urban areas, security and safety are critical, expensive, needs--needs you don't see as severely as in rural areas, yet our formulas do not seem to include those items, and we leave that cost to local districts to fund or to find the needed funding. A means must be found that addresses the unique needs of our districts while assuring an equitable, quality education for every child, regardless of where they live. Along with that, we must have a fair and equitable tax system to support our schools that assures those who can least afford to do so do not pay more than their fair share.

During the 78th Legislature, you voted in favor of HB 2292 - a bill that consolidated many HHSC agencies and privatized many call centers across the state. At the time, the Legislature was told that the bill would save the state as much as $45 million, but recent audits have shown that the state will only save $1.1 million over the next five years. Do you still believe the move towards privatization will, in time, help the state of Texas? What are your thoughts?

I did not support HB 2292 in its final version. The state was facing a $10 billion deficit at the time, and something was going to be done to address that deficit. HB 2292 proposed to preserve services to the neediest citizens by cutting administrative costs. It is my observation that, for major legislation, it is best to allow the process to move forward with hopes that resolutions for the most problematic issues will be developed. When the end product did not seem to do that, I did not support the bill in its final form.

As to the eventual verdict on privatization, the jury is still out on that.

I know, during the session, HJR 6 was a very difficult issue for Democrats in swing districts. In the end, you switched from signing a letter saying you’d block the bill to, ultimately, voting for it. Considering how well you know the people of your district – having served as their Senator for over twelve years – what ultimately made you decide to switch your vote?

I signed the letter with the understanding that it would not be released until we heard from our constituents, and I did so before I started hearing from the constituency. I never decided to switch my 'vote.' As an elected official, my responsibility is to represent the citizens of Senate District 19. The district I represent is composed of many citizens with traditional and conservative values. Support for the opportunity to vote on this issue simply outweighed those who were opposed. The decision was difficult, but ultimately, I supported the right of voters to decide on this issue for themselves.

You've served over thirty years in the Texas Legislature. What do you consider to be some of your biggest accomplishments over that time? During your past term?

The Gifted & Talented Program; bringing Toyota to South San Antonio and with it, the expected 4000 new jobs, pumping more than $2.4 billion into the Texas economy over the next decade; keeping the 19,000 at Kelly AFB, keeping the state school open and preserving the jobs there; creating the Epilepsy Center of South Texas; legislation that created the In-Home and Family Support Program to help elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities remain in their own homes as long as they can possibly do so and avoid institutionalization; legislation that helped to expand the scope of practice for Physician Assistants in rural Texas; creating the office of Rural Health Care; and authoring the amendment that was the forerunner for the Children's Health Program (CHIPS); authoring legislation to create Texas A&M - San Antonio and bring access to higher education to the long underserved South Side of San Antonio.

In the past legislative session: finally succeeding in the passage of legislation that will allow the agri-industry of grape growers and wine production to compete on a national level and will bring more jobs, both in production and tourism, to our state.

Legislation that prohibits the University Interscholastic League from holding their major regional and state events at the same time as the TAKS tests are given which was legislation brought to us by superintendents, teachers and parents and passed in one session. The prohibition will allow students to concentrate on their tests and, hopefully, increase their performance on standardized tests. Prior to this, some students were tired and anxious about both, wanting to excel in both but having to travel long distances to compete in UIL events the day before or next morning, some times as much as 250 miles one-way.

While the education bill has not been passed in its final form, amendments that I offered to increase funding for small and rural school districts as well as transportation were supported and remained in all versions of the bill. I continue to have confidence those things will emerge in the bill produced during the upcoming Special Session.

Having a higher percentage of bills introduced and signed by the Governor than any other senator; and chairing a committee that processed more bills than any other committee.

What issue – more than any other – do you consider yourself an expert on? What issue do you feel most passionately about?

I heard the definition of expert is 'someone who knows more and more about less and less,' so I'm not sure if that is a positive statement, and expertise changes. I do try to listen to the experts. However, I have been involved in the issue of education and school finance since first serving on the 1984 Blue Ribbon Commission, chaired by Ross Perot, and I believe I have a good comprehension of the issue, especially as it impacts SD 19. I feel the same way about health and water, having served on key committees and sub-committees on these issues throughout my career and as a former educator and school board member in the public school system.

How does your faith and your values shape the way you make policy in Texas?

My faith provides my core values of trying to conduct all that I do with honesty and truth and to treat others fairly. I may not get it all right, and others may not agree with the choices that I make, but I can say that I try to do so.