Former Students Respond To COVID-19: Q&A With Glenn Hegar

In actions big and small, countless Aggies are making a difference as the world responds to this global pandemic.

Glenn Hegar ’93, Texas’ comptroller of public accounts, was named as a consulting member of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Reopen Texas, which aims to restart and revitalize education, employment, entertainment and culture in the state following the impact of COVID-19. Hear more about his work and how A&M helped prepare him for this challenge.

What is your role in the response to COVID-19?

As Texas’ chief financial officer, my key responsibility is to determine the effect of the pandemic on the state economy and on the money available to fund state services. Part of my role is to give a clear message to state leaders, lawmakers and all Texans so that they can make financial decisions: We are in a recession, and we are going to have to weather some real hardships before we come out of it.

This summer, I will reduce my projection of the funds available to pay for government services by several billion dollars. It’s a complex task to determine how the ever-changing global situation will affect our state economy, and we are committed to providing accurate information as soon as we can and as often as we need to do so.

As the state’s tax collector, I also am helping businesses as much possible during this crisis. My agency is offering short-term payment plans for sales taxes, and we have pushed back deadlines for some other tax payments. We are always communicating with taxpayers, and we are working to ensure decision-makers and businesses understand how best to obtain and use federal funds set aside for COVID-19 relief.

We put a high priority on keeping everyone in our 3,000-person agency, and our customers, as safe and secure as possible in all their interactions. We have dramatically expanded our agency’s telework schedule, and we have instituted strict rules and procedures to protect people whose jobs require them to come into the office. We are implementing prudent cost-containment measures at the agency so that we can tighten our own belts, as we know we must, without damaging our workforce.

I am proud to say that we have not missed a beat in providing services and carrying out our responsibilities despite these extraordinarily difficult times.

How has your A&M education and experience influenced your work?

An important part of my Texas A&M experience was the university’s unflagging emphasis on six core values: Respect. Excellence. Leadership. Loyalty. Integrity. Selfless Service. I learned these values growing up on our family farm; their importance was emphasized for me when I found that they were embedded in Texas A&M’s culture.

In trying times like these, I reflect more on these values. Leadership is vital in our day-to-day lives, but in the midst of an historic challenge like this, it is absolutely critical. Leading with integrity and respect in the service of others is more important now than ever as so many Texans struggle with the loss of jobs, businesses or savings.

I am proud to see Texas A&M’s core values in its role models and leaders who set the example for the world.

What is something you want Aggies to know during this time?

Texas has seen difficult times in the past, and we as Texans have come through them. While we are uncertain of what the new “normal” in life will be, I can assure you that Texas will be stronger than before, and the Aggie Nation will lead the way in the months and years ahead!

This is the first post in a series of interviews with former students who are directly involved in the nation's response to COVID-19. To suggest a former student for this series, email AggieNetwork@AggieNetwork.com. 

The Association of Former Students has a bold vision to engage 100,000 donors annually for Texas A&M by the end of 2020. To learn more, visit tx.ag/100Kby2020. To help us help more Aggies, make a gift at tx.ag/Give.