FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2010

AUSTIN – Today, the Republican Party of Texas called on Democrat State Representative Mark Homer (D – Paris) to explain to the voters of House District 3 why he failed to pay over $145,000 in federal payroll taxes for a company he owns.

Steve Munisteri, Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, said, “It’s clear that Mark Homer has some serious issues related to these payroll taxes. District 3 voters deserve a representative who can be honest about his own taxes, before he votes on theirs.”

During the last legislative session, tax lien records on file at the Lamar County Clerk’s Office indicate that a federal tax lien in the amount of $67,704.80 for unpaid payroll taxes was filed against Homer’s company, Texida Fast Foods, on January 12, 2009. Just weeks later, another federal tax lien against Texida Fast Foods was filed on February 2, 2009, in the amount of $78,775.54 for unpaid payroll taxes – representing funds collected from employees, yet not properly remitted. Employers are required to withhold payroll taxes from their employees’ paychecks and pay this tax to the IRS on their employees’ behalf. The two tax liens were finally released 6 months after the IRS demanded payment and filed the liens (see attached tax lien documents).

Dodging taxes is just the latest ethics breach for the 12-year Democrat incumbent. Last year, Homer was fined $1,400 by Texas Ethics Commission for violating campaign finance laws. Munisteri added, “At a time when our state is facing fiscal challenges which will require legislators with the expertise of knowing how to handle money, Rep. Homer’s past track record indicates he will not be up for this task.”

Click on the image below to see a PDF containing scans of the actual tax liens.

Business Ownership Documentation found via Personal Financial Statement available at TexasWatchdog.org.

– – –

For more information, contact
Chris Elam – 512-477-9821
Communications Director, Republican Party of Texas