DALLAS - After taking the oath of office as Texas Comptroller, Glenn Hegar promised "a clear revenue estimate to legislators" as they prepare to open their 84th session on Jan. 13.
Gov.-elect Greg Abbott administered the oath to Hegar Jan. 2 as Hegar's family looked on with Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick.
The revenue estimate used to guide lawmakers in writing a state budget covering the next two fiscal years will bear Hegar's name but was produced by his predecessor Susan Combs and her staff. After two terms, Combs did not run for re-election in November.
Hegar was a Republican state senator from Katy before winning election to succeed Comptroller Susan Combs in the Nov. 4 general election. Patrick, a Republican state senator from neighboring Houston, won election as lieutenant governor the same day.
"Glenn and I came into the Texas Senate together, and it has been a pleasure working with him for the past seven years," Patrick said in welcoming remarks at the swearing-in.
As comptroller, Hegar will maintain revenue estimates for the legislature and provide monthly reports on sales tax collections and other income. Under Combs, sales tax revenues have increased for 56 straight months, hitting two records in calendar year 2014.
The report containing sales tax collections in December for purchases made during the month of November 2014 will be Hegar's first.
Hegar said he will focus on "constitutional functions including tax collection, accounting and providing a clear revenue estimate to legislators."
Hegar said he will focus "more than ever on customer service" and will continue to "root out waste, fraud and inefficiency in state government to maximize 'shareholder value' for Texas taxpayers."
"We will never forget that we work for the Texas taxpayers and not the other way around," he said. "Our job is to handle the basics then get out of the way."
With oil prices falling, Texas is expected to see severance tax revenues ebb after flowing at gusher proportions for the past two years. Neither Hegar nor Combs have offered any projections on how the falling oil prices might affect the state's general revenues.
Hegar pledged to work with Abbott and Patrick to "ensure Texas remains an example to the nation and the world of personal freedom, game-changing innovation and unlimited opportunity."
