Emails, Tracee Evans, communications director, U.S Rep. Kevin Brady, Dec. 19, 2014

From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) [mailto:wgselby@statesman.com]

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 4:51 PM

To: Evans, Tracee

Subject: Seeking explanation for a fact check in Texas

Good afternoon.

A reader brought to our attention a Dec. 17 press release from Rep. Brady in which he said "Texas families have kept more than $10 billion on their family budgets since we successfully fought to restore Texas’ sales tax deduction a year ago.” Can you guide us on specifically how Brady reached this figure and this conclusion?

I’d be happy to visit by phone if that’s easier. We don’t do background or off the record. Thanks.

g.

W. Gardner Selby

Reporter / News

Austin American-Statesman

PolitiFact Texas

1:22 p.m.

Dec. 19, 2014

According to the state comptroller (quoted in the Dallas Morning News on September 22, 2014), “Texas taxpayers used the provision last year. If Congress doesn’t restore it, they’ll owe an extra $1.2 billion to the IRS in April.”

Tracee

From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) [mailto:wgselby@statesman.com]

Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 2:25 PM

To: Evans, Tracee

Subject: RE: Seeking explanation for a fact check in Texas

How did the congressman get to his $10 billion figure?

2:03 p.m.

Dec. 19, 2014

If it’s $1.2 Billion a year, extrapolate that over ten years and what do you get?

From: Selby, Gardner (CMG-Austin) [mailto:wgselby@statesman.com]

Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 3:45 PM

To: Evans, Tracee

Subject: RE: Seeking explanation for a fact check in Texas

I on a learning curve. Why would anyone assume it’s the same amount every year?

3:11 p.m.

Dec. 19, 2014

That number appears consistent. This is from 2007 http://www.susancombs.com/media/comptroller-lobbies-congress-sales-tax-deduction