Texas House District 1 continues to heat up as ads pop up around town, on the internet and mailboxes fill up with postcards asking for your support and attacking their opponents. There have been opportunities to learn more about the candidates through events like the “Coffee with the Candidates” through the East Texas Republican Women and the “Potatoes and Politics” forum that happened mid-January through the Republican Party of Cass County. Amid the talking points discussing US politics and greater Texas, HD 1 candidates discuss what they believe is important to this district and Cass County.
According to the Texas Tribune, twelve hot topics in greater Texas to keep an eye on in 2024 are: · Vouchers and school finance · Immigration and border security · Abortion · Ken Paxton’s impeachment acquittal · Higher education · School Safety · Houston ISD takeover · Property taxes · LGBTQ+ rights · Extreme heat · Electric grid · Water supply and infrastructure Here in Cass County, some of the topics that could have a direct effect on our community include school choice, property taxes, and infrastructure which include water, sewage and rural internet.
Higher education also has a bearing since there is a direct impact on wages and quality of life. The County falls well below higher levels compared to national statistics. Those that have a master’s degree or higher are only 5% compared to a national level of 13% and a bachelor’s degree of 12% compared to the national level of 21%. The Journal-Sun noted a few weeks back that the overall wages are low for Cass County and the connection to higher education. Expect though this is something that candidates will not be talking a lot about since the interest isn’t there.
Business and County growth can also be directly tied to infrastructure, so expect some conversation in this area. Property taxes, Marvin Nicholes, and school choice are probably the most talked about topics in recent discussions.
We are less impacted by the Texas electrical grid, since we receive our electricity from Louisiana through SWEPCO. “The Panhandle, South Plains and a corner of Northeast Texas are under the Southwest Power Pool.”
We have been affected by the heat, seeing some drought conditions but not nearly as affected as the rest of the state.
The Journal-Sun recently asked each of the candidates what they felt were the biggest issues affecting Cass County and House District 1. Here are their responses: VanDeaver believes “the two issues that I consider to be most important for this election and to the constituents of HD1 are continued opposition to the Marvin Nichols Reservoir and combating the invasion at our southern border. As your State Representative, I will continue to oppose any plans that violate the rights of local property owners that will undoubtedly harm countless families and businesses. As for the border, we have seen a historic investment by the state to try to fix the problems created by the Biden Administration, and next session we will continue to invest in all strategies and options to solve the problems that Washington D.C. has created and can’t seem to solve.”
Dale Hus said “When my volunteers and I go door-to-door, the number 1 issue they seem to care about the most is the border. They feel powerless in the face of the open border policies of the Biden Administration and the state’s seemingly more aggressive response to illegal immigration. They are concerned about everything related to an open border, be it increasing crime, strains on our public infrastructure, the pressure it puts on our economy, right down to their personal safety.
“But when discussing the district outside the larger national context, many are concerned about the land grab that the district is currently undergoing. With corporations coming to buy or rent good productive farm and ranch land to turn into solar farms and wind farms, people are concerned about the environmental and economic damage that could happen through this massive push to turn our district into an energy hub for the metroplex. Additionally, Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board have their sights fixed on HD 1 to build the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. This is yet another land grab by outside entities to make more of our land unusable for the citizens of HD1. If we are to keep our East Texas culture and heritage alive, we must find ways to limit, mitigate, or outright stop these land infringements.”
Chris Spencer said “that the greatest challenge to District 1 is the crisis at our southern border. As a state representative, I will support the necessary appropriations to finish the border wall. I am fully supportive of Governor Abbott in his initiatives to secure our border, and that is one of the many reasons that he has enthusiastically endorsed our campaign.” He also believes in helping get Donald Trump elected again. “I fully support the election of Donald Trump as President. This is the quickest route to secure our southern border.”
Spencer also believes Marvin Nichols Reservoir remains an important topic. “The governor appointed me as Chairman of the Sulphur River Basin Authority in 2018. I am adamantly opposed to the proposed development of the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. It would be a land grab of historic proportions, devastating our timber industry and local economy, and worst of all, taking private property that belongs to East Texas citizens.
Spencer also points to business and infrastructure as an important topic. “I am concerned about aging infrastructure in East Texas and will push to secure grants and tax incentives for municipal and county improvement initiatives. As a businessman, I meet a large payroll each week. I have created hundreds of jobs over the years. My employees have never missed a paycheck, even though I have and have experienced hard times and gone without a paycheck. I believe in promoting small business, the backbone of economic development.”
The candidates also shared perspectives on School Choice, which will be covered extensively next week.
The Journal-Sun would like to hear from you on what you believe are the most important issues in Cass County and HD1. The Journal-Sun will be asking that question on our social media pages in the coming weeks and encourages you to write letters to the editor with your thoughts.
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