Julie Luton Texas State Representative for District 70 Democrat

1. NAME: Julie Luton
OFFICE SEEKING: State Representative for District 70
1) Arrests: No, I have never been arrested. Yes, you may check.
2) Please list all relevant Degrees and Certifications: May I have your permission to verify
your post-secondary education? B.A. in English, Minor in Business from Missouri Southern
State College (now University). Yes, you may check.
3) Why are you running for office? I am running for office to ensure the residents and
businesses of District 70 have someone who will work hard for ALL Texans, promoting public
education, healthcare access, property tax reform, and economic growth.
4) What are your key qualifications that separate you from the other candidates? I’m a
former small business owner, community volunteer, church leader, and committed public school
advocate. With my background, I have a first-hand understanding of the need for balance
between the needs of our businesses and our residents. I’ve spent hundreds of hours working
alongside residents, and I know the values that are important in our district.
5) Will you accept monetary compensation for activities outside of your office
compensation? With annual compensation of $7,200, state representative is not a full-time
paid position. I do not currently have other employment income nor have plans to pursue other
employment, but I cannot state with certainty that I will not accept another part-time job.
However, my priority would be my responsibilities as state representative, so I would ensure any
other position would not interfere with those commitments.
6) Term Limits: Will you sign a pledge to push for the implementation of Term Limits and how
will you make this a reality? I believe term limits should be implemented. We must lobby fellow
legislators to push for implementation of term limits and encourage citizens to make calls to let
their representatives know they support these limits and will vote accordingly for representatives
who follow this directive. These limits, however, must be discussed with the understanding that,
as is true with all jobs, too short of a time in the position before a new representative is installed
ensures no opportunity for learning “on the job” and developing relationships that facilitate
collaboration and negotiation in legislating.
7) Resident Tax Burden: Collin County Residents are burdened with the 2nd Highest Total
Property Tax Payments in the State of Texas and Education represents over 60% of the Collin
residential tax burden. Taxpayers will be paying over $350 million over the next 25 years for the
following stadiums:
▪ McKinney ($80 to $120 million)
▪ Prosper ($48 to $72 million)
▪ Allen ($60 to $90 million
▪ Frisco Memorial Stadium FISD portion ($15 to $22 million)
▪ Frisco Star Center FISD portion ($30 to $49 million)
Bond measures and Tax Increases have passed, largely because Texas legislators have
enacted regulations that allow:
▪ Corporations to contribute to PAC supporting ISD Tax Increase and Bond Measures

2. ▪ ISD to pick favorable Election Dates and Voting Locations
▪ ISD’s to exploit confidential Parent Contact Information, Internal/Publicly funded resources
and personnel to create materials for “get out the vote” activities such as Mailing, Phone
Calls and Emails.
▪ Administrators to “encourage” teachers to contact parents about voting
▪ Administrators to use scare tactics to threaten to cut teachers and popular school programs.
▪ ISD’s to erroneously blame “state funding cuts” to justify tax increases
▪ ISD’s to remove anti-PAC signs while allowing pro-PAC signs.
What are your thoughts and your plans to address these issues? Our first step in reducing
property tax payments for individuals must be the reduction of the local share of public
education. The state has reduced its percentage of support for public education at the state
level, while at the same time increasing unfunded mandates and increasing regulations and
testing requirements. Regarding bond measures, I believe the will of the people should be the
driving force behind bonds and tax increases, and I will accede to their wishes.
8) Roads & Infrastructure: The population of Collin County is exploding and our Roads,
Bridges, Drainage Systems & Infrastructure are strained. What are your specific plans to
address to alleviate traffic and infrastructure deficiencies? I agree that our exploding population
is putting strain on our infrastructure and transportation plans. The state estimates many billions
are needed over the next 5-10 years. We must address budgeting for these issues at a state
level and encourage the Texas Transportation Commission to listen to our North Texas
representatives about where and when the most-needed projects should be completed. Long-
term planning is needed rather than stop-gap measures that may be less expensive in the short-
run but do not address systemic issues that will cost more in the long-term.
9) An important element of reducing the Tax Burden of homeowners is attracting Corporate and
Commercial Development – Do you believe that the State, County, ISD and Municipalities
should collaborate on Economic Development projects? How will you facilitate this
effort? Yes, I believe it is imperative that our state, county, ISD and municipalities should
collaborate on economic development projects. The state representative for that district should
facilitate working relationships with each entity to ensure all points of view are understood and
considered when promoting economic development projects.
10) Property Rights: What is your position statement on the following Property Rights:
(A) Municipal Annexations of Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ): Texans deserve a voice in the
annexation of ETJ properties. Recent legislation offers more protection for landowners
regarding annexation.
(B) The use of the power of Eminent Domain to institute Condemnation Proceedings against
the Property Owners to seize property. Eminent domain and condemnation proceedings should
be used sparingly only after clear, overwhelming evidence of true public interest. Proper
procedures must be followed and fair offers must be made in all instances.
(C) Long Term Zoning and Multifamily Housing – should zoning be changed to limit multi-
family housing or other “undesirable” property usages? I believe multi-family housing should be
a welcome part of an entity’s comprehensive plan for creating a balanced, family-friendly
environment for residents, regardless of income level.