Texas Republican candidates in comptroller primary March 1
Mark V. Goloby
Occupation: Founder of TC Technologies
Age: 64
Campaign website: www.goodgovernance.today
Best way for voters to reach you: website or markgoloby@gmail.com
Education: BBA Texas A&M University
Have you run for or held elected office before? NO
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held):
Precinct Chair Harris County 398
Treasurer of The Executive Council
Curriculum and Education Chair for BIZPAC
Founded and ran the The East Texas Energy Symposium raised over $200,000 for the East Texas Oil Museum
Been to 5+ Texas State Convention
Passed resolution to Repeal Endangered Species Act
Passed resolution to repeal Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. NO
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. NO
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Myself, Don Sparks, Phil Martin
Why are you seeking this office? Because someone should lobby for the Texas Taxpayer
- I spent 5 years rallying Texans to end Chapter 313 of the Texas Tax Code www.chapter313.org In the 2019 legislative session the Texas Senate allowed chapter 313 to expire 313 is a $1billion (1% of Total Texas Budget) fraud on taxpayers under the guise of Economic development Now the Comptroller says he is not going to tell the taxpayers the cost of the program Wrong approach
- Looking at the surplus and Texas economy, I believe Texans can afford some sale tax relief.
As the state’s purchasing manager, what factors would you consider before awarding state contracts? Price, Quality, Deliverability
Are there other sources of revenue not currently being used Texas should look to to supplement our budget? I believe the issues is the state has plenty of revenue. This issue is the spending, I believe if we can find budget extravagances, that can be eliminated and therefore a reduction of the tax burden on Texas Taxpayers. A cut in sales taxes can implemented quickly and benefits all socioeconomic levels.
What qualities make for a good comptroller and how do you embody them? Detail focused, analytical, tenacious. I bring these and a passion to Lobby for the Texas Taxpayer.
Glenn Hegar
Occupation: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Age: 51
Campaign website: glennhegar.com
Best way for voters to reach you: 281-391-0720
Education: Texas A&M University, BA, St. Mary’s University, MA, St. Mary’s University, JD, University of Arkansas, LLM
Have you run for or held elected office before? Prior to my election as Comptroller in 2014 I served as a Texas House Member, District 28 from 2003 – 2007 and a Texas Senator for District 18 from 2007 – 2014.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement (for example, service on boards/commissions or leadership positions held) I have been involved in a wide range of community and civic organizations throughout the state, and Dara and I both are active in our church, local charities and (as proud Aggies) Texas A&M. But beyond that my time is dedicated to the activities and lives of my three teenagers. My family is more important to me than anything else. They may be 16, 13, and 13, yet I have only a few more years to truly help shape who they will be and set them on the right path for their journey in life. SO their organizations are ALSO my organizations right now.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain. No
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My campaign finance reports are all readily available at the Texas Ethics Commission - https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/
Why are you seeking this office? Every time I have sought public office, my family and I have gathered around the kitchen table and tried to answer the same questions. Is this right for our family and can I be of service to the people of Texas? We did the same thing this year, as my wife of 23 years and my three teenagers made the decision to run for re-election. Texas’ rapid growth brings significant challenges to our infrastructure, school system, and ability to ensure that Texas is a land of economic opportunities. Our economic recovery is strong but remains uncertain and given the inflationary spending and attacks on Texas’ energy industry coming out of Washington, I am the best candidate to protect our fiscal future. I strongly believe that I have the ability help guide our state through these real challenges and I would be honored our voters enable me to continue in my service to this great state.
As the state’s purchasing manager, what factors would you consider before awarding state contracts? Ultimately the key factor is value. Value is not necessarily solely related to cost but combines cost as well as quality to deliver the best possible product for our customers while acting as responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I have produced a comprehensive guide for Texas’ Procurement and Contract Management. The most up to date version of this guide can be found here https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/publications/procurement-contract.php
Are there other sources of revenue not currently being used Texas should look to to supplement our budget? Texas is on solid financial footing. As Comptroller I have worked to secure greater flexibility when it comes to investing the state’s rainy day fund to maintain its purchasing power and ensure it is always available to help our state manage downturns. We must continue to invest smartly and keep Texas a low tax business friendly state. As other states squeeze businesses a job creators, Texas welcomes them. That is the reason for our prosperity, and we must protect those values.
The residential property tax burden in Texas remains a critical issue facing lawmakers and as Comptroller, I can play a key role in helping the Legislature as it works to alleviate that burden. We have made significant progress in recent years in compressing property tax rates to try to reign in local property taxes, but a booming Texas economy and surging revenues presents us with a tremendous opportunity to give money back to taxpayers in the form of increased property tax relief.
What qualities make for a good comptroller and how do you embody them? I am a 6th generation Texan who grew up farming. I have worked on our family farm since I was a young child. I am the first in my family to graduate college, but I worked the farm regularly until I became Comptroller. That taught me the value of hard-work, honesty and integrity. Those values inform every aspect of my life and I thank God for the opportunity my wife Dara and I have to share those values with our children.
I saved Texas taxpayer over $1 billion by cutting taxes, eliminated 6 state agencies that saved taxpayers hundreds of millions, and I eliminated 8 overly burdensome taxes that were costing taxpayers millions. I worked to cut the franchise tax to keep Texas business friendly. I’ve fought to create a 401k-style retirement plan and prevent Texas from drowning in pension liabilities.
I’ve been a champion of transparency, and I have always fought to provide the Texas taxpayer with the best and most efficient possible government at the lowest possible cost.
