Published: August 25, 2008 01:34 pm      

Representative candidates air views on economic development

The Political Spirit: Week 1

Editor’s note: Each Monday, the Daily Progress will publish a question-and-answer story featuring District 11 state representative hopefuls Chuck Hopson (Democrat incumbent) and Brian Walker (Republican challenger).



By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

JDP: What are your plans to help bring new jobs to House District 11?

Hopson: Plain and simple, illegal immigrants are stealing American jobs. I’ve sponsored legislation to crack down on illegal immigration and am working to pass legislation to punish employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The governor’s office and the president also have a duty to enforce the laws we pass.

Additionally, as our economy becomes more global, we are competing not only with the next town or the next county; we are competing for jobs with countries from around the world. We need to compete on a level playing field, and we must stop outsourcing high-paying jobs to places like China and Mexico. I will actively oppose giving tax breaks to any company who outsources good American jobs to people in foreign countries.

In East Texas, we have water, coal and the ability to produce electricity. That alone makes us very competitive for new jobs, but we must make sure we have first class roads and rail in order to move our high quality goods to market. In the legislature, I have worked to make sure our district gets its fair share of transportation dollars.

Walker: To bring jobs to House District 11, I believe we must reduce taxes and improve our quality of education. We should not be attempting to expand the margins tax that taxes small businesses, even if they do not make a profit. It also means improving the quality of education in our schools by ensuring that at least 75 percent of funding goes directly to the classroom for teacher pay and instructional materials, so that our students and teachers have the resources they need. A trained workforce will attract new businesses and jobs, and keep the ones we already have in House District 11.

JDP: What can be done to entice businesses to our area? How specifically can we draw more white-collar workers and businesses to the area?

Walker: As I mentioned in the previous question, we can entice new businesses to relocate to our area by having a highly educated workforce. That means making sure that 75 percent of funding goes directly into the classroom, and it means that we fund our local public colleges and expand the programs that they offer.

Hopson: In the legislature, I have worked to offer tax incentives to businesses who move to our area. But, we also need to work with the Chamber of Commerce to let business owners know that East Texas is business friendly. We are known for our buckle-down work ethic. When an East Texas worker says they will be there at 8 a.m. then that's when they'll be there. I have worked with the business community for the past decade to help get this message out.

White collar workers and businesses want to move to an area with excellent education, Healthcare and access to the Internet. I have brought additional dollars back to our public schools and community colleges to help them expand their courses and programs. The results of these dollars will be felt for years to come, when businesses look into East Texas as a place to relocate.

JDP: How important is tourism to East Texas? What opportunities exist in the district for further tourism?

Hopson: Tourism is a huge industry in Texas and we need to make sure we are getting our share of the tourism dollars. I’ve been hunting and fishing in these parts for my entire life, and I can assure you there’s nowhere better on earth to get away from it all and really get in touch with nature.

One gem in our area is the Texas State Railroad between Rusk and Palestine. Not many people can say they've seen a steam locomotive in motion. It's not a site you will soon forget. Lake Columbia continues in its permitting process and will be a wonderful destination to visit in the future. We are actually sitting in the middle of some very historic sites like the El Cameo Real and the Native American Mounds.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I was proud to support a measure to increase funding for our state parks by $140 million. East Texas campgrounds will be even more packed by city folk. They love to camp and are always amazed to see number of stars over their heads. It amazes these folks that you can see deer and hogs around most of our campgrounds.

And of course, East Texas has water! People from across the state and country come here for our rivers and lakes; to fish, water ski, canoe and hunt. Now the federal government has declared a portion of the Neches River a wildlife refuge. We need to promote the amazing bird and animal watching, hiking and camping in this area.

Walker: Tourism is vital to the economy of East Texas. With our state parks, such as the Texas State Railroad, and local attractions, such as the Tomato Festival, it is important that we promote everything that East Texas has to offer. By assisting our cities and chambers of commerce through funding, we can increase our ability to reach out to people across the Country and attract them to East Texas.

JDP: HD11 has seen 2 percent population growth in the last five years, from 139,000 to 142,000 people, while the state on average has increased by 12.7 percent during that time. Is this a healthy growth rate for East Texas? In your opinion, what would be ideal growth for this district?

Walker: I think ideal growth is growth at a steady rate. Steady growth is a good indication of a sound economy. However, I personally don't want growth to be so rapid and vast that Panola, Rusk, Houston, and Cherokee Counties lose their rural character. Being rural is an attribute of East Texas that I love, and I don't want to lose it.

Hopson: In many rural communities there has been no growth or even a loss of population to the urban centers of our state. We obviously don't want that. But we also don't want our way of life paved over in the name of progress. East Texas is a rural, green and friendly. The citizens of East Texas that I have talked with at my pharmacy and while out in the neighborhoods want our communities to stay rural. And for good reason. With growth comes strain on infrastructure. If you have traveled the roads in Austin or Houston lately, rush hour starts at 3 p.m. and lasts until 7 p.m.. Their local taxes are sky high and some urban centers, like Dallas, are growing beyond their capacity and are running out of water. Their air is dirty and you can’t see any stars at night. There are gangs and bad influences on every street corner. I have been lucky enough to raise my family here in East Texas, and I don’t want our children and grandkids to miss out on that chance.

JDP: Why do you feel you understand the economic situation in the district better than your opponent does?

Hopson: Unlike my opponent, I have been a small business owner here in Jacksonville for almost 40 years. I have had to make a payroll every two weeks and have had to do all of the things a business has to do to stay afloat. I have also served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the City Council and the School Board so I understand first hand the local economy. I am a conservative who has worked to pass $15 billion dollars in tax relief.

As a local pharmacist I see everyday how the economic situation effects my customers. I have experienced the ups and downs of our local economy and I know we must continue to work as a region to develop an educated workforce. We must continue to work to develop strong relationships between the private sector and local government. East Texas needs an experienced voice in Austin, someone who can work across party lines to accomplish real things.

Walker: Because Chuck Hopson says on his own website that he wants to expand business taxes so that “all businesses in Texas assume their fair share.” Chuck and I have a vast ideological difference. I believe that if you want to discourage something, you tax it. It’s that simple. Small businesses are the backbone of East Texas, and I disagree with Rep. Hopson in his desire to tax any businesses further.