Over The Hill Legacy

Dallasblog.com | Peggy Venable:

“[Fred] Hill had been controversial in recent years for his opposition to taxpayer protections and widely criticized in Republican circles for advocating for government officials over taxpayers. He opposed lowering appraisal caps and opposed taxpayers having opportunity to vote when government revenues increase.”

Ed Cognoski responds:

Fred Hill, retiring from the Texas legislature, represents what the Republican Party used to stand for. Peggy Venable distorts his positions. He supports local taxpayers and their local government. She supports imposing still more regulations from Austin on cities and school boards. He represents local solutions for local problems. She represents solutions imposed by Austin. Sadly, the Republican Party she represents has lost its way.

Symptomatically, she quotes Rep. Hill to illustrate public policy that he stood for and that the state Republican Party now opposes:

"Local governments get no support from Austin but have to shoulder the burden of mandates passed by the Legislature. The best government is local government, not central government. Local elected officials know what's best for their communities."

Can you believe it's a Republican, Peggy Venable, who criticizes this viewpoint? It's Alice-in-Wonderland time in the Republican Party. The inmates have taken over the asylum.

Gov Perry's and Tom Pauken's so-called appraisal reform task force tried to foist state government "solution" on local government. Gov Perry and Tom Pauken and Peggy Venable do not know what's best for Richardson or Dallas or Del Rio or Lufkin. They should quit trying to tell local city councils and school boards how to deal with local problems. Local taxpayers elect friends and neighbors to best represent them in local matters. Let them do their jobs. Republicans used to know this. Fred Hill is one of the few who still does. He will be missed.

P.S. Tom Pauken continues to block me from posting comments on Dallas Blog. Censorship of opposing political viewpoints is another policy that Republicans have lost their way on.