While other states were building deficits and overspending, Texas has weathered the economic downturn better than most.  We’ve added more jobs than any other state in the nation this decade, and more than all other 49 states combined in the last 5 years.  This success didn’t just happen.  Dan listened to North Texans' calls for less spending and worked to keep more money in Texans' wallets.   Some of his accomplishments include:

Balanced Budget & Spending Cut: The Texas Legislature passed a balanced budget, reduced state spending by 2% and preserved an anticipated $9 billion in the state “Rainy Day Fund,” without a tax increase.

Tax Cut for Small Businesses:  Dan voted to triple the franchise tax exemption for small businesses, providing complete franchise tax relief for at least 40,000 small businesses over the past 2 years.

Historic Property Tax Relief: As one of the primary authors of the legislation that reduced local school property tax rates by 33%, Dan helped deliver homeowners the largest tax cut in Texas history.

Limiting Appraisal Increases:  Dan was a primary author of the voter approved constitutional amendment to lower the maximum homeowner appraisal cap from 30% to 10%, regardless of appraisal frequency.

Eliminating Unnecessary Taxes: The Telephone Infrastructure Tax (TIF) had outlived its purpose, but was still costing taxpayers money on their monthly phone bills. Dan was a co-author of the law abolishing the TIF Tax, saving Texans over $600 million. 

Proven Fiscal Conservatism:  Dan leads by example and lives within his means in the Texas House.  During each term, he has returned money to the state from his office account. 

Dan will continue to work for a more limited, fiscally responsible government by fighting increases to the franchise tax rate, and limiting the amount of property taxes subject to Robin Hood recapture.