During a 2020 podcast with Texas Rising, a progressive YouTube channel, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico warned that Texas could not balance its budget by cutting health‑care or education services. He said, “I don’t care where you get the revenue. I don’t care what taxes you have to raise,” indicating a willingness to consider tax increases if needed.
Context of the 2020 budget shortfall
At the time of Talarico’s comments, the state faced a projected $4.6 billion shortfall, largely due to the COVID‑19 pandemic’s impact on oil demand and on revenue from hotels, bars and restaurants. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar noted that the fiscal year’s revenue collection was “much lower than our earlier projections” and that the state was counting on the lifting of pandemic restrictions to restore economic activity.
Governor Greg Abbott ordered agencies to cut spending by 5 percent for the 2020‑2021 budget. While Abbott largely protected the Health and Human Services (HHS) portfolio—including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, foster care and disability services—$2.6 billion of HHS funding remained subject to cuts, with a target of $132.7 million in reductions.
Talarico’s stance on health‑care cuts
Against that backdrop, Talarico argued that the state should not force students, teachers, the sick or the elderly to bear the burden of the pandemic. He said, “You’re not going to make our students and our teachers — you’re not going to make the sick and the elderly pay for this pandemic.” He called for a political taboo on cutting health‑care and education spending, urging progressives and anyone with “a functioning heart” to push those cuts off the table.
Republican response
Republican National Committee spokesperson Zach Kraft responded sharply, labeling Talarico a “high‑tax” candidate who would raise taxes to fund what Kraft described as a “radical agenda of taxpayer‑funded sex changes for kids and free health‑care for illegal immigrants.” Kraft’s statement reflects the broader GOP criticism that Talarico’s fiscal approach would increase the tax burden on Texans.
Policy proposals and campaign messaging
On his campaign website, Talarico advocates for universal eligibility for Medicare, regulation of medical debt and expanded veteran care. He also touts a plan to end special tax handouts to corporations and billionaires while highlighting his vote for the largest property‑tax cut in Texas history, which he says benefits middle‑class families.
Critics, including Republican Senator John Barrasso, argue that a single‑payer health system would require income taxes to at least double, a claim that Talarico’s campaign has not directly addressed. The campaign maintains that any tax increases would target the wealthiest earners, not middle‑class Texans.
Implications for the November Senate race
Having secured the Democratic primary, Talarico will face Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton in the November 3 general election. The resurfaced interview adds a new flashpoint to a race already marked by sharp partisan disagreements over taxation, health‑care funding and the role of government in Texas.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
