Last night at Canyon Hills Middle School (8930 Eclipse over on the Northeast), Texas House District 78 candidates Republican Dee Margo and Democrat Joe Moody participated in a “Meet the Candidates” forum put on by the Sunrise Neighborhood Association. The candidates were not allowed to refer to each other and applause was prohibited. NPT presents an overview of the questions and answers, with the answers being distilled for your convenience:

Opening statement

Margo: “I care about El Paso... There’s a lot going on in Austin and we need to have a voice.”

Moody: “I put my name on that line because I believe we need a new focus in this state.”

On toll roads

Moody: Tolling “a last resort.” Questioned tolling new lanes on old roads.

Margo: Won’t back tolling existing roads. Open to tolls on new lanes and highways.

Taxes

Moody: Favors a “direct tax cut” by tripling the homestead exemption to $45,000. Online challenges for property value appraisals.

Margo: Increase the tax base by attracting new businesses to El Paso. El Paso suffers from an "economic distortion" unlike other Texas cities because 60 percent the tax base is residential in nature. (Austin and Dallas get most of their tax dollars from businesses, Margo said.)

Border Security

Margo: “We’re a sovereign nature and we should control are own border.” Not convinced a border fence is the solution. Questions the “ridiculous” costs involved, but if a fence is needed in places “then fine.”

Moody: “We need to look at ourselves in the mirror.” A fence won’t solve criminal activity spilling over into the Southwest. Need for education and community programs to reduce illegal drug use in El Paso. Has previously called a border fence an “affront to Mexico”

The Bailout

Moody: Described the cancellation of the Hunt development in the North East as the “direct impact” of the credit crisis. Washington has “dropped the ball” on regulation. The crisis shows “a disconnect between our government and our people.” Stressed need for UTEP students to have access to affordable credit.

Margo: “Whether we like it or not, the house is on fire. ... We need to put it out and then figure out how it started.” Criticised financial instruments for being “less than clear.” Stressed the need for “free flowing credit.”

State income tax

Margo: “That’s easy. I’m totally against it.” Added that “This state is a good place to do business” and tax rates needed to keep this so.

Moody: “Texas isn’t ready for a state income tax and I don’t support a state income tax.” Mentioned gaming as a good source of revenue for El Paso.

Education

Margo: “Talk is cheap.” Need to back up mandates with funding. Proud that his children were the product of the public school system.

Moody: Criticised constant testing. “Are [they] preparing our kids for the future? No ... We don’t allow teachers to teach anymore.”

Intelligent design

Moody: Intelligent design has “no place in our science classes.”

Margo: “I’m not sure I’m qualified to comment on that.” (Reminiscent of Obama’s “that’s above my pay grade” response to Rick Warren’s question on when life begins). If included in the curriculum then “maybe” it should be taught in a literature class rather than a science class.

Economic development in North East El Paso

Margo: Claimed to have “spearheaded the BRAC process” with others. Stressed that there “was no way in God’s green earth” that the Northeast would not benefit from an increased military presence.

Moody: Talked about “BRAC-related growth” and the need to “incentivize small businesses to invest in that area.”

Renewable energy

Moody: Praised UTEP for developing “next generation technologies.” Called for El Paso to lead the Southwest and claimed renewable resources could create “100,000 jobs across Texas.”

Margo: Practical business solutions like reducing congestion on 1-10 to counter emissions.

Opposing development in Castner Range

Margo: Cautiously opposed. Points out that it is more of a federal than a state issue.

Moody: “Absolutely opposed.” Believes Castner Range is unequivocally part of the park and “a hallmark of El Paso and the district.” Criticized Austin for raiding state park funds.

Closing Salvos

Moody: “This election is about where we’ve been in Austin for the last six years and where we want to go ... When we cut from CHIP [and other state programs] it hurts El Paso ... We’ve got to get Austin to work for El Paso.”

Margo: “The legislative process is a matter of negotiation. … Let’s get something done. I’m tired of just talking ... let’s figure out how to get something done.”

Sounded most authoritative when talking about:

Margo: BRAC, REDCo and the local economy in general. Margo is like Google on these subjects spewing out figures left, right and centre. The key to his effectiveness on these issues is that he doesn’t shoot above the audience’s head.

Moody: Education, Austin corruption and being a local boy. Moody is like YouTube on these subjects churning out his own experiences and relating them to the issues. The key to his effectiveness on these issues is the ability of his audience to see themselves in his words.

Most predictable sound bite

Margo: Again stated that he “would rather light a candle than curse the darkness,” a reference to his ability to work with, rather than fight against, the Republican leadership in Austin.

Moody: Again mentioned “Texas licence plates” at Sunland Park Casino “paying for New Mexico’s education,” a reference to the closure of Speaking Rock Casino by the Republican leadership in Austin.

Secret dig at opponent

Moody: Criticised the insurance industry several times claiming it was “running wild.” (Margo runs an insurance company.)

Margo: Spoke of the need to negotiate in Austin and that most people learn their negotiation skills from marriage. (Moody is single.)

Not mentioned (this is for the more well-informed among you)

Blogs, Judges, Craddick and Ethics committee fines.