State Rep. Ron Simmons Talks: School Finance Will be Our Biggest Issue Next Session.

Weve developed a new process within the Republican Caucus to be able to make sure that we as a Caucus coalesce around one candidate. Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The things were focusing on now during the interim to get ready for the 2019 session are: Whats been the financial impact of Hurricane Harvey on the state and where are we on our Budget Cycle State Rep. Ron Simmons tells Insiders Jim Cardle. The good news is that the Texas Economy is doing well. But the bad news is that the economys doing well said Simmons who serves as Treasurer of the Texas Conservative Coalition one of the most influential Legislative organizations in Austin.

Were going to have to be more creative and to be sure were putting the money where the needs are. We cannot allocate money any longer based on what some influential politician wants. We have to have process by which the need drives where the money is spent.

Weve developed a new process within the Republican Caucus to be able to make sure that we as a Caucus coalesce around one candidate. That candidate will need to get 60 of the vote in a Caucus Meeting whichll be held in December. Im confident that that is going to happen and that were also going to pick someone in the center or center-right of our party. Thats where we are right now Simmons said.

With 95 Republicans or 90 or 100 whatever we end up with after the election the people have said we want Republicans to be driving the policy of this state and we will do that. The biggest financial issue I think well discuss next session will be School Finance because the people have told us the Governor has told us everybody is saying we need to get something done said Simmons I believe that if we dont get it all done it will be the beginning of a break-through on School finance this 2019 Session.

And heres what the voters need to understand: You have only three revenue sources that the state has. Proprty Taxes are done locally but the state still has an influence on them. You have the Sales Tax and then you have the Franchise or Margins Tax. So we have to figure out how to adjust those taxes to make it work" Simmons said.