Taxes

The politicians in Austin have done nothing to restrain out-of-control property tax appraisals. Then, they did nothing to eliminate Texas’ first state income tax passed the session before. This new tax is already hurting small businesses and will send jobs to other states or even out of the country. They even passed a “granny tax” which raises taxes directly on nursing home residents by a whopping $330 million over the next two years.

Last year, our state had a $14 billion budget surplus, but instead of returning it to the taxpayers, they specifically voted to spend it all plus $9 billion more on new government programs! Now, some in the Legislature want to expand huge, new sales taxes onto cars, houses, food, diapers, doctor’s visits and everything else. Can you imagine having to pay an 8.25% sales tax on the sale of your house?

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Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration is a crisis. Hospitals and schools are overburdened. Crime, in particular violent crime, committed by those here illegally is on the rise. Law enforcement cannot keep up anymore.

The State Legislature has lost touch with the rest of us on this issue. Illegal immigrants can still get a driver’s license and are even voting in elections. Criminal penalties for those caught here illegally are not being enforced and companies that intentionally hire undocumented workers are still not being held accountable. The border remains wide open and on all these issues, the State Legislature has done nothing.

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Crime

Most parents I talk to assume that Texas is doing everything it can to protect children from sexual predators. In reality, when it comes to child predators, the Texas Legislature has sided more with the ACLU than it has with Texas parents. Today in Texas, there is no state law preventing a registered sex offender just off parole from living right next door to a school or day care center. In fact, last year the State Legislature event voted against requiring registered sex offenders to properly identify themselves to police! How are local police supposed to keep track of sex offenders if they are not even required to properly identify themselves?

In Mesquite, we took protecting children seriously. We created a new “child safety zone”, which cut the number of registered sex offenders by 50% in one year. At the state level, we should encourage cities to ban registered sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of schools or day care centers and set aside state funds to help cities fight off legal challenges. We should also require all registered sex offenders to wear GPS tracking devices upon their release from prison.

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Education

As a product of MISD public schools, I understand the opportunities I have enjoyed in life because I got a great education. As Mayor of Mesquite, I helped start the SRO program which put Mesquite police officers in our middle schools and high schools.  As your State Representative, I will help reduce state mandates and increase local control because parents and teachers know more about what our children need than bureaucrats in Austin. I support strong financial accountability for school administrators so that parents can see where each dollar goes. I will vote to end the failed TAKS test and instead support end of course exams that maintain accountability but do not force teachers to teach the test. Our children deserve the best education possible and yet our state is falling behind; we currently rank 48th in graduation. We must do better. Fewer state mandates and more parental involvement will help improve our schools. 

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Family Values

My family and I are lifelong residents of Mesquite. We believe in traditional family values; we are pro-life, pro-family and pro-2nd amendment. We are dedicated Christians and are active members of Mimosa Lane Baptist Church.  My wife Paula and I were high school sweethearts.  We have been married for 24 years.  We are blessed to have 2 wonderful children; Lauren and Allison.  Lauren is a junior at Texas A&M College Station.  Allison, currently a senior at Mesquite High School, will attend Texas A&M College Station in the fall.

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Local Control

As Mayor of Mesquite, I preached for years that the people in our neighborhoods know better what they need, not the bureaucrats in Austin. Every time Austin expands its authority, the localities suffer, money is wasted and frustration increases. I will vote to return power back to the cities and school districts. I will vote to require local community input for all major state transportation projects. I will vote to support our private property rights. And I will work hard to bring our conservative principles to the State Legislature.

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