Well, the Dallas Morning News gets credit for being honest. Their endorsement in the Senate District 9 open-seat Republican primary contest is based on their desire for a Republican to champion tax increases. And in Todd Smith, they have their tax-hiking man.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility has proudly endorsed the conservative in that race: Kelly Hancock. As a state representative, Mr. Hancock has been a consistent conservative, championing the cause of taxpayers and promoting a bold, positive vision for the state.
The DMN wants Todd Smith in the Texas Senate so he can raise taxes.
In Todd Smith, we have something else entirely. We have a guy whose legislative record has been — at best — a lackluster. He previously supported the tax-hike proposal by his fellow Tarrant County moderate, Vicki Truitt.
Apparently he is doubling-down on an irrational policy. The Dallas Morning News editorial board say they are supporting him because he “does not rule out an increase in the state’s gasoline tax” — great way to kill an economy, Mr. Smith!
The Truitt/Smith tax-hike is popular with big-spenders, but abhorred by the overwhelming majority of people who pay taxes.
The Dallas Morning News‘ reasons for endorsing Todd Smith is a good statement of why conservatives have been, and most definitely will be, supporting Kelly Hancock.
On the issue… Smith apparently told the DMN that he believes higher taxes are needed to build roads. Not true — and certainly not right now. Nearly half of the gasoline tax is diverted to non-road & bridge construction needs. Meanwhile, we have cities and counties squandering transportation dollars on mass-transit projects that don’t relieve congestion.
There’s plenty of waste in the current system, and far too many diversions. We don’t need wasteful tax-hikers, we need folks like Kelly Hancock who will work to spend our money more wisely.
