Editorial: We recommend Branch in Texas House District 108

7:30 AM CDT on Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Opinion/Editorials

Rep. Dan Branch has built a strong legislative résumé. Returning him to Austin for his fourth two-year term should pay dividends to the region and state.

Mr. Branch, 50, is facing Democrat Emil Reichstadt, 59, who is unfamiliar with many issues and offers few realistic solutions for pressing problems.

Both are attorneys. The district extends from downtown to the Park Cities.

Mr. Branch, of University Park, understands the need to stay the course on the state's new business tax, keeping it broad and low, while discussing inequities. Mr. Reichstadt, of Highland Park, favors a "complete overhaul" of the tax structure but has sketchy ideas for a replacement. His scenarios are unworkable for meeting other fiscal needs – like propping up higher education with lottery money and relying on Washington to build out the region's rail transit network.

Mr. Branch is on board with the region's plan for a menu of revenue options so voters can decide rail expansion. He is open to indexing the fuel tax, which is critical to road-building needs. Mr. Branch also thinks returning tuition-setting authority to lawmakers could choke off vital funds to universities, a sound position.

As a House budget leader and chairman of a select education-finance panel, Mr. Branch is in a strong position to boost higher-education support. That could be key to meeting North Texas' goal of building a Tier One research university.

Mr. Branch has also been a consistent supporter of open government, leading the successful charge in the House for a constitutional amendment to keep lawmakers' votes on the record when they pass bills.