By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
McKINNEY — As Collin County continues to grow, bringing rising property taxes, pressure on schools, and infrastructure demands, Keresa Richardson said her work in the Texas Legislature is guided less by ideology than by cost control, defined responsibilities, and what she calls measurable outcomes.
A longtime Collin County business owner, Richardson said more than four decades running companies with her husband have shaped how she approaches policymaking and budgeting in Austin.
“When you have to create jobs and make payroll every week, you become more fiscally responsible,” she said. “I don’t want to waste taxpayer money.”
That philosophy, which she describes as fiscal conservatism paired with limited government, has guided her legislative agenda and several of her more closely scrutinized votes.
Legislative work and workforce policy
During the most recent legislative session, Richardson pointed to the passage of Republican-backed legislation as evidence of productivity.
“We were able to pass 42 Republican priorities in the 89th legislative session,” she said.
Among the measures she highlights is a bill she authored reducing the time required to become a licensed master plumber from eight years to six, a change now in effect statewide.
“We have a scarcity of skilled labor in the state of Texas — HVAC, electrical, plumbers, tradespeople,” Richardson said.
She described the change as correcting unequal treatment between union and non-union workers, who previously faced different testing timelines.
“If you were in a union, they would let you take the test in four and a half years,” she said. “If you weren’t, they made you work eight years.”
Critics questioned whether the change benefited Richardson’s own businesses, a claim she disputes.
“In actual effect, it hurts my business,” she said. “But it was the right thing for the state.”
District concerns: immigration and property taxes
Richardson said polling and constituent conversations in House District 61 point to two dominant concerns: immigration and property taxes.
On immigration, she linked border policy to pressures on schools, hospitals, and local budgets, arguing those costs fall on taxpayers.
“When we have illegals here, it taxes our school system,” Richardson said. “It also puts a strain on our medical system and our hospitals.”
Her framing reflects a broader Republican emphasis on enforcement, while critics argue immigration’s impacts extend beyond fiscal strain. Richardson maintains the financial effects are central to concerns raised by voters.
On property taxes, Richardson pointed to appraisal growth — rather than tax rates alone — as the primary driver of rising bills and said spending limits and appraisal reforms are needed to slow increases.
“Everyone wants to reduce their property tax,” she said. “Appraisals are going up very fast.”
Spending priorities and limits of government
Richardson has consistently argued that state government should focus on what she calls its “core functions.”
“The core functions of government are transportation, safety, our police, our fire, our roads,” she said. “It’s not medical research.”
That view drew attention following her vote against state funding for Alzheimer’s research, a decision that prompted criticism from some families and advocacy organizations.
Richardson said the issue is personal, noting Alzheimer’s has affected members of her own family. However, she argued that large-scale medical research should be handled by the federal government or other institutions rather than the state.
“That’s not the state of Texas’ responsibility,” she said. “Texas shouldn’t be footing the bill for the other 49 states.”
Supporters view the vote as consistent with limited-government principles, while critics note that federal research funding has fluctuated, leaving states to debate whether — and when — to step in.
Education and school choice
Education policy has also defined Richardson’s tenure, particularly her support for education savings accounts, commonly referred to as school choice.
Richardson framed the policy as a matter of parental authority.
“No one knows their child better than the parent,” she said. “We want parents to be able to choose the environment that’s best for that child.”
The program is scheduled to roll out statewide in 2026. Under the approved structure, education funds are directed to state-approved vendors rather than paid directly to families.
“The parent directs where the money goes,” Richardson said, “but the money is held by the comptroller so there’s no fraud.”
Supporters say the program expands options for students, particularly those with special needs. Critics, including public education advocates, warn it could divert funding from public schools. Richardson said outcomes and testing will determine whether the policy succeeds.
“Success is how well the students are doing,” she said.
Representation and outlook
Richardson said her decision to serve is rooted in long-standing ties to Collin County.
“This is home,” she said.
Supporters describe her approach as disciplined, while critics argue her narrow view of government limits the state’s role. As another legislative session approaches, voters in House District 61 will continue weighing whether Richardson’s approach aligns with their priorities as the district grows and changes.
Editor’s Note:
Candidate interviews published by TX3DNews are for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement. As part of our HD-61 coverage, we have interviewed all candidates in the race — Frederick Frazier, Jackie Bescherer, Brittany Black, and Keresa Richardson. Follow TX3DNews for continued election coverage.