Margo-Moody Truth Test

Recent commercials attacking both opponents in the District 78 race can at times be misleading, while some accusations are accurate.

In Dee Margo’s latest commercial, the narrator says “Joe Moody got caught in a lie.” The Margo Campaign in part refers to a Fall 2009 letter from Moody to constituents that has a paragraph touting legislators’ efforts.

It reads almost word for word from a speech by governor Rick Perry earlier that year.

The ad also states “Moody voted for a new tax on home-owners.” This isn’t technically true and needs context.

In 2009, Moody, along with 136 house members, including scores of Republicans, voted for House Bill 3983 which ordered a study on programs designed to tie income to how much you pay in property taxes, possibly providing a relief for low and moderate-income howe owners.

But there was never a mention of a new tax.

Governor Perry vetoed this.

Moody did vote for another bill, again along with dozens of Republicans and Democrats, that would allow counties to have an election to decide if they could impose an additional property tax of 5-cents per 100-dollar home valuation – to fund emergency services districts, including the jobs of first responders.

It passed in the house but died in the senate. This technically did not impose a new tax, it only gave counties the options to hold a referendum on the matter.

One of Moody’s accomplishments in the legislature was authoring and passing a bill creating complete property tax exemption for 100-percent disabled veterans.

As for his campaign, Moody accuses Margo of “making millions off sky-rocketing insurance rates”.

Dee Margo is the CEO of JDW insurance, one of the largest privately held insurance agencies in the U.S.

Moody could not provide to us evidence that Margo makes millions.

Margo refuted the claim by saying insurance agents do not control rates.

In Texas, rates are among the highest in the U.S.

Margo blames personal injury trial lawyers – who support Moody – for increasing rates.

Moody however, argues the state needs insurance reform and his latest ad states that Margo “has even admitted to being against insurance reform.”

That’s true.

Margo, unlike Moody, is against prior approval, a system that would make insurance companies – like his – justify rate hikes to the state.

Margo says the current system in which rates go to the consumer first – and are later reviewed by the Department of Insurance – fosters competitive rates.

Moody contends that the fact that Texas consumers are paying some of the highest rates in the country is proof the current system is not working for residents.