Experience
Tyroch: “I have the experience of addressing issues for the citizens of Temple such as transportation, education, taxes. I have dealt with issues, negotiated and maneuvered issues on the city, state and federal levels. When I’m elected, I can hit the ground running. I will not be behind a learning curve.”
Sheffield: “She’s definitely experienced at bigger government, there’s no doubt about that. She’s proven that by her tax increases, she’s proven that by the fact that she knows how to spend bigger dollars ever year. She knows how to grow that.”
Spending
Tyroch: “I am for eliminating government and waste. And returning the savings to the taxpayers. When I served on the city council, with the council and myself we helped lower taxes four times, and when I left office the tax rate was the lowest in Temple since 2000. We’ve had some wonderful bond elections that the voters have come out and voted for.
Sheffield: “She’s grown that, 91 percent government spending, from 28.5 million to 54.5 million in just the short period of time she’s been on council. I think government should not grow any faster than inflation and population growth in the area. You take that whopping 91 percent that’s grown on council since Martha’s been involved, that’s more than twice that amount for that period of time.”
Tom Craddick
Much of the last Texas Legislative session was embroiled in an attempt to oust House Speaker Tom Craddick. That issue will likely rise again, when lawmakers convene in January, 2009.
Sheffield: “I’m committed to Craddick because I think he’s the only Republican who can win that seat for Speaker of the House. We need to go to Austin and worry about passing legislation, and not worry about who’s the new speaker of the House.”
Tyroch: “I have to concentrate right now on my race. I have to win this race first, and when I win, that decision will be made.”
Trans-Texas Corridor
Tyroch: “I was appointed to a Trans-Texas Corridor fact finding committee. I am proud to be able to make a decision about the TTC saying I opposed it because I am making an educated answer. I have always opposed it.
Sheffield: “If you’re opposed to it, Martha, why for two and a half years when you served on a planning committee you never once stood up and said that you were opposed to it? “
On former District 55 candidates Mike Pearce and John Alaniz endorsing Sheffield
Sheffield: “Michael and John both were at those forums … she (Ms. Tyroch) was stumbling on how she was addressing the issues. Michael Pearce, he’s a very conservative Republican, he’s looking for the best conservative Republican to serve the district. John Alaniz, he’s about government shouldn’t be the one that’s in control.”
Tyroch: “Several of the individuals who have endorsed both those candidates have called this headquarters. Sometimes, and many times, they might not follow the individual they supported in the primary, and that is exactly what I’m seeing in this office.”
On Temple Area Builders Association Political Action Committee endorsing Tyroch
Sheffield: “It’s quite obvious the way the homebuilders are trying to push her like the way they would push a councilwoman into a council seat. You got a group (TABA) pushing a candidate that hard, working behind her campaign, I think that really opens some eyes and is she really going to represent the district, or is she going to represent the Temple area home builders?”
Tyroch: “For the last seven years I have addressed issues with them … We’ve worked hand-in-hand, we’ve not always agreed, but in the end, we did what was best for the community. TABA PAC interviewed all five candidates. They chose me for the experience. I have the ability to problem solve … and I have the proof, serving on the city council dealing with homebuilders.
