Point of Contact: Rep. Dan Branch

12:00 AM Sunday, July 6, 2008

Sunday Commentary

Our Q&A with state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, appointed to the Legislative Budget Board last week. The board, made up of 10 House and Senate members, has responsibility for shaping the state budget and guiding spending priorities.

You are replacing the retiring Fred Hill as the only North Texas lawmaker on the board. Why should it matter to have a local voice on the LBB?

D-FW is the nation's fourth-largest metro area, generates about one-third of our state revenue and is absorbing almost one-third of Texas' population growth. As one of the state's major economic engines and population centers, it's important that our region has a seat at the table.

How has Dallas-Fort Worth traditionally fared in fighting for resources from the Legislature? What region has been the stiffest competition?

The greater Houston area, the nation's sixth-largest metro area, has traditionally been very successful in securing state funds for their region, in part because they have more representation and seniority on the budget-writing committees. For example, I was appointed to the Appropriations Committee as a freshman in 2003 and was the only Dallas County member on the panel until last session.

What are your priorities for Texas overall?

Texas is well-positioned in a turbulent economy. We lead the nation in job creation and enjoy one of the country's lowest state tax burdens, but it's critical that we address the major infrastructure challenges facing our state if we want to maintain our success.

We have a booming population that will require more roads, more power and more water. At the same time, we must protect our environment, provide for our most vulnerable and educate the students who will become tomorrow's workforce. The solutions to these challenges require tough decisions and long lead times.

My priority is to maintain a limited, but not anorexic, budget; to be fiscally responsible, but not penny-wise and pound-foolish.