Thanks to I45Now for providing the video. You can watch it below. Thanks to Eric for the notes of the event.
Just an FYI. I believe Bowen is probably one of the worst candidates for State Representative the Bay Area has ever had. He has a horrible record on the CCISD Board, all documented at bayareahouston.net/ScottBowen. It is why he lost his re-election by 12 points. It was a very clear message, and notably, those 12 points came from the Harris County portion of CCISD.
HD-129 is in Harris County. The district historically is a 15-point stronghold for Republicans, but this year there might be a perfect storm brewing: a poor Republican candidate, a very well-qualified Democratic candidate, and a potential wave of voter frustration with the party.
Today I’m fact-checking Scott Bowen. Tomorrow I will fact-check Wittliff.
- On Insurance: Bowen warned that putting restrictions on the free market will drive home insurance companies out of Texas, just like California. However, that has already happened. TCAIS is composed of six of the largest insurance companies in Texas: Allstate, Farmers, Farm Bureau, USAA, Nationwide, and State Farm. Of these, only USAA will offer policies in the Bay Area, and their rates are exorbitant (they quoted me $15,000/year with a $13,000 deductible). The others refused to offer a policy at all.
- On Supporting State-Sponsored Insurance: Insurance companies have largely pulled out of the 14 coastal counties. Now, most homeowners rely on a state-sponsored policy called TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association). Bowen wants to expand their coverage to HD-129 instead of requiring the free market to remain. (Note: Harris County and all of Texas also have access to the Texas FAIR Plan, another state-sponsored program.)
- On Driverless Cars: When asked about street congestion in the district, Bowen suggested driverless cars instead of mass transit. How adding more cars to the road reduces congestion makes no sense. Furthermore, his claims linking rail to crime were unsupported by facts or figures. It was one of the weakest moments of the forum.
- On Taxes: After 30 years of Republican rule, Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Scott fully supports Governor Abbott’s tax strategy, just as he backed his voucher plan. Bowen claimed he spoke with a resident whose property taxes exceed what he paid for his house—a mathematical impossibility. While no one likes paying taxes, cutting school property taxes simply shifts the burden to taxpayers through higher sales taxes while starving our public schools, cities, and counties.
- On School Vouchers: Bowen fully supports another round of school vouchers, which primarily benefit wealthy parents. Over 70% of vouchers have been awarded to students already enrolled in private schools.
Closing Statement: According to Bowen, the Bay Area is a Republican stronghold and voters should continue voting for a “conservative.” For over 30 years, the Bay Area has elected Republicans, yet the cost of living has continued to rise. Over the last 28 years, I recall only one town hall meeting held by Representative John Davis. The Republican Party has taken voters for granted, and local residents are paying the price.
As I have said before, Bowen is going to take a knee to Abbott leaving us without representation. Again.
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