Rep. Jessica Farrar: What Being a Fiscal Conservative Really Means
Rep. Jessica Farrar: What Being a Fiscal Conservative Really Means
Posted on February 20, 2012 by txhousedems
A few weeks ago, I wrote Governor Perry a letter in which I confessed that I am a fiscal conservative. I explained to the Governor that I believe government is supposed to be a wise steward of tax dollars. If the government must spend money, it should do so only for essential public services, like education, infrastructure, health services for the young and elderly, and disaster relief. Tax dollars do not belong to the government or elected officials; tax dollars belong to taxpayers.
I mention my letter because being a fiscal conservative also means providing full financial transparency.
If the Governor squanders $2.6 million in taxpayer dollars on a failed nationwide campaign, or starts collecting a $97,000 annual pension without actually retiring, he should publically disclose that fact without having to be cajoled.
If the Legislature gives thriving insurance and mutual fund companies a combined tax break totaling $2.5 billion over six years (which they have), that information should be easily accessible for anyone who wants to look — not tucked away in an obscure report handed out to legislators once every two years, as is currently the practice.
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http://www.txhousedems.com/2012/02/rep-jessica-farrar-what-being-a-fiscal-conservative-really-means/
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm a fiscal conservative too - which just means being careful how you spend your money, as well as the transparency she talks about. But I'm very progressive/liberal on social services. I would much rather invest in schools and education upfront giving every person the tools they need to succeed.
As opposed to the wing nuts who hate public education and view any social services as socialism/communism. The only conservative part of their ideology is "conserving" all the public good for themselves. The public dole is fine when it only benefits them. The second the proposal is something only the very poor qualify for - then it's a waste.
Keep putting it out there Representative Farrar!
