|
 |
Property Taxes |
|
Transportation |
|
Jobs & Small Business |
|
Natural Resources |
|
Border Security |
|
Education |
|
|
Constitutional Rights |
|
Voter ID |
|
Sanctity of Life |
|
Fiscal Discipline |
|
Healthcare |
|
|
|
Property Taxes
Homeowners are under siege from skyrocketing property taxes. I believe we need to bring about fundamental reform to our property tax system. We must place a cap on the amount your property taxes can climb from year to year. We must also reform the property appraisal system to ensure greater citizen access to the appeals process. Individual homeowners should be able to just as easily challenge their appraisals as large businesses do with their access to multiple tax lawyers.
Transportation
I believe the construction of roads is fundamental to the economic growth of our area and to our quality of life. While the politicians at the state capitol bicker, commuters in HD 47 are in desperate need of relief from traffic congestion.
The “Y” in Oak Hill is a prime example of political grandstanding and blame-passing. Meanwhile, we sit in traffic because our leadership has failed us, and lives continue to be put at risk because of our outdated infrastructure. There remains no consensus on what the improvements should look like. However, I am committed to working with the citizens of Oak Hill, TxDot and others to find a solution that we all can live with and get it moving quickly.
I will fight to end the practice of diverting transportation highway funds to pet projects and other unrelated programs. When I get to the State Capitol I will work to ensure transportation dollars pay for congestion solutions.
And unlike liberal incumbent Valinda Bolton, I won’t ask you to pay more in gas taxes simply because state government refuses to end the diversion of highway funding to other priorities.
Jobs and Small Business
I have spent 25 years in south Travis County, 18 of those years as the owner and founder of a commercial construction company that provides livelihoods for Central Texas families, and contributes to our tax base. Unlike our current representative, I will be mindful of the folks – the taxpayers – who pay for government programs, and not just those who benefit from government services.
I have a long, established record of fighting lawsuit abuse as a member of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse-Central Texas. As a former president of the Austin Rotary and a leader in our local business community, I know what it takes to create jobs and opportunity in District 47 to help our economy rebound. I will work to expand tax incentives for communities with higher than average unemployment rates. We must also lower taxes, control spending, and reduce burdensome regulations so small businesses can grow and prosper.
Our Natural Resources
There are many who believe that economic expansion is at odds with protecting our natural resources, I am not one of them. There is a balance that must be struck, and with the advent of new and innovative technologies we can grow our economy and protect our environment. Austin is blessed with beautiful hills, streams and green spaces. We should protect our natural treasures while also ensuring we plan for our future. I will work for responsible development, just as I have as a member of the commercial construction industry.
Securing Our Border
Immigration first and foremost is a federal issue and should be solved at the federal level. However, the federal government has failed in its responsibility and Texas has the right and responsibility to take action.
The border must be secured immediately to stop the flow of crime and drugs into our communities by cutting off smuggling routes for narco-traffickers, international gangs and human traffickers. Texas must invest in more manpower, more equipment and strategic technology to create virtual fencing to support our law enforcement along the border.
Once the border is secure, we should have a national dialogue to determine the best solutions for reforming our immigrations laws. I oppose amnesty for those who broke our laws and entered our country illegally. Illegal immigration has a significant negative effect on our economy, health and social services and we must lessen the impact created from this unlawful environment.
Investing in Education
Providing the best possible education for our children is critical to developing a skilled workforce for the future, and ensuring Texas is a state of opportunity for the next generation. My first priority for education will be to ensure we direct more dollars to the classroom so we get more education for our money. We also need to invest more in math and science, ensuring our students have the skills they need for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.
I support a parent’s right to homeschool their children without fear of retribution from the government, whether that government is the state or local school board.
Constitutional Liberties
I will defend our Constitutional freedoms against those who believe the Constitution is a “living” document and are slowly eroding our freedoms we are guaranteed.
I will push back against Washington mandates that are taking away Texas’ 10th Amendment rights afforded in the Constitution.
I am a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment and believe that it guarantees an individual right to keep and bare arms. I have received and “A” rating and am a life member of the NRA.
Voter Identification
I support a voter identification law that would require voters to show a photo ID in order to vote. There is nothing more important than faith in our representative democracy. A voter identification law would help ensure that are elections are fair.
However, the incumbent representative has worked to kill such legislation in the State House and even work to shut down debate on this issue.
Sanctity of Life
I believe we must protect the most vulnerable in our society – the unborn. I support parental consent and notification laws, prohibitions on partial birth abortion and a ban on all government funding of abortion. I was also actively involved in the founding of the South Austin Pregnancy Resource Center.
Fiscal Discipline
I will fight all tax increases that are proposed to fill the $18 billion budget shortfall Texas is currently facing. Agency spending must be reviewed from top to bottom and unnecessary spending stopped.
I will work to close the budget shortfall with spending cuts and eliminating government excess. Families and businesses are tightening their belts in these tough economic times and our government should too.
Healthcare
We have many great doctors in Texas and that is due in part to our landmark tort reform that was passed in 2003. Limiting frivolous lawsuits has kept our doctors here and brought new doctors to our state, at the same time preventing the trial lawyers from standing between you and your doctor.
I am opposed to federally run healthcare, known as “Obamacare.” This program alone will add an additional unfunded mandate on the state of Texas of $27 billion over ten years.
Market-based solutions that protect patients’ choices, provide affordable options, encourage prevention and allow for innovation and competition are the best possible reforms to our health care system.
As a small business owner, I know the great expense of providing healthcare to your employees. Exploring options such as insurance pools with other small businesses would be a great first step in bringing down the cost of health care coverage, instead the federal government deciding it is the solution.
