House District 28 Voter Guide

House District 28 – Voter Guide

Early Voting: Monday, October 21 – Friday, November 1, 2020
Election Day: Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Click Here for House District 28 Runoff Election Voter Guide


Democrats


Republicans


Propositions

Democratic Candidate

Eliz Markowitz (D)



Link


Twitter


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Princeton Review, Instructor
  • Princeton Review, Corporate Trainer
  • Princeton Review, Author
  • University of Houston, Research Assistant (2012 – 2017)
  • Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, Researcher (2009 – 2012)
  • San Antonio College, Biology/Chemistry Instructor (2008 – 2009)

EDUCATION

  • Doctorate, University of Houston, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Master’s, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Health Informatics
  • Master’s, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Management of Technology
  • Bachelor’s, Trinity University, Computer Science
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “Texans must ensure that women have autonomy over their own bodies and are provided access to medically sound reproductive health services. In turn, crisis pregnancy centers that misrepresent their services should be stripped of funding and designation as a licensed medical facility. Every woman should have the opportunity to make her own decision regarding childbirth and should have access to contraception, counseling, family planning services, pre-natal and post-natal care, affordable childcare, and all forms of reproductive care.” [Website]

EDUCATION

  • “All Texans have the right to receive high-quality, publicly-funded education from pre-kindergarten through either college or vocational programs. High-quality public schools that meet the needs of all individuals should be accessible.” [Website]
  • “high-stakes standardized tests should be replaced with alternative performance measures that address the strengths and weaknesses of students, educators, and institutions.” [Website]
  • “The state should immediately establish a school finance system with sufficient revenue to provide every individual with accessible, high-quality education.” [Website]
  • “Institutions should be held accountable for student progress, meet established standards of educational excellence, and repeal “home rule” and “innovation” statutes that allow institutions to lower standards and simply push students through the system.” [Website]
  • “Public charter schools must be held to identical standards of accountability in order to receive financial support.” [Website]
  • “the $5.4 billion of public school funding that was eliminated by the Republican legislature in 2011 must be restored to fund improvements in Texas education.” [Website]
  • “we must increase teacher pay and provide quality, affordable healthcare and retirement options.” [Website]
  • “it is imperative that every Texas school provide and fund high-quality career and technical educational programs.” [Website]
  • “Both gifted students and those with disabilities are entitled receive appropriate, high-quality early, secondary, and postsecondary education and access to all services and support indicated in their individual education plans. Furthermore, we believe that all institutions should provide a safe-haven for students of all abilities, and disparities in instruction or discipline based on such factors should be eliminated.” [Website]
  • “we should oppose the implementation of any school voucher or tax credit program that would financially and academically harm the Texas public school system.” [Website]

HEALTHCARE

  • “every Texan should have access to high-quality, affordable health care. As a state, we must ensure that we provide comprehensive health care options to our all Texans, including the most vulnerable, our children, veterans, and seniors. No individual should be denied access because of a pre-existing condition or inability to pay an exorbitant hospital bill.” [Website]
  • “Texans should support legislation that expands upon the principles of the Affordable Care Act, providing preventative and primary care treatment for medical, dental, and vision issues.” [Website]
  • “We must support a system that allows Texans to choose their providers, yet replaces high insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays with progressive financing.” [Website]
  • “We must also ensure that Texans have access to quality, affordable prescription drugs. No individual should be the victim of a corporation’s desire to manipulate the cost of health care treatment.” [Website]
  • “Texas is a diverse state and we must work to eliminate the health disparities that exist amongst minority populations. In order to ensure that all Texans live long, healthy lives, we must support policy and legislation that will reduce the disparities that exist among racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines.” [Website]
  • “We must lower the cost of prescription drugs, expand Medicaid, and develop rural health care centers.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • “We must reassess the role that development… play[s] in our district. Development must happen in a way that invites businesses into our community without displacing families who have been here for generations.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “Every Texan should be assured that the state has comprehensive plans for handling the occurrence and aftermath of natural and man-made disasters.” [Website]
  • “The state must develop, fund, and implement processes to ensure the welfare of Texan residents, including plans to manage emergency transportation, both the temporary and permanent housing of displaced individuals, both the short-term and long-term health care needs of displaced individuals, the educational needs of displaced students, debris and hazardous material removal, testing physical locations prior to repopulation, and securing funding to rebuild.” [Website]
  • “The state must also pass legislation that will prohibit the sale of residential land located in a flood-plain without the buyer’s knowledge.” [Website]
  • “we must immediately implement plans to mitigate disasters and ensure the welfare of the displaced during and after such events.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “we saw progress with the passage of Senate Bill 2, which allocated $1.7 billion to invest in flood infrastructure, but since this district has seen three 500-year floods in the past five years, we need to invest more into flood mitigation and control.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

TAXES

  • “We must reassess the role that… property taxes play[s] in our district.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “we must reform our school finance system to reduce reliance on property taxes, which are pushing people out of their homes and create an inequitable education system.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “public tax money should only be used to support a system of free public schools. Furthermore, we should oppose the implementation of any school voucher or tax credit program that would financially and academically harm the Texas public school system.” [Website]
 
Endorsements
  • Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
  • Annie’s List
  • 314 Action Fund
  • Network for Public Education
  • Run for Something
  • Texas AFL-CIO – Tidelands Labor Assembly
  • Fort Bend County Democratic Party
  • Fort Bend County Young Democrats
  • Fort Bend County Tejano Democrats
  • Katy Area Democrats
  • Indivisible Katy Huddle
  • Pantsuit Republic – Katy
  • Houston Hispanic Political Action Committee
  • Se Habla Español News
  • Plumbers Local Union 68
  • Texas Parent PAC
  • 80-20 National Asian American PAC
  • Swing Left
  • County Judge KP George

Republican Candidates

Anna Allred (R)



Link


Twitter


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Houston Methodist Hospital, Anesthesia Resident
  • Texas A&M University, Associate Adjunct Professor
  • U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Partner

EDUCATION

  • Fellowship, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Critical Care
  • Residency, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Anesthesiology
  • MD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Doctor of Medicine
  • Bachelor’s, Texas A&M University, Chemistry
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “[My] Christian faith guides [me] every day. [I am] pro-life, pro-family and will stand up to the radical liberals who are destroying traditional Texas values.” [Website]

EDUCATION

  • “[I] will focus on building education programs and technical training to ensure our workforce is prepared for the changing job market to land the good, high-paying jobs we need.” [Website]
  • “There was also very positive progress [in the 86th legislative session] on education finance, but there is more to be done; too much money is spent outside the classroom; more resources are needed for the classroom and the teachers.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

HEALTHCARE

  • “As a physician, I see society through a different lens. I have a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and the compassion to listen so I can address the issues impacting the health… of all Texans. I work daily to communicate, collaborate and coordinated patient care and operating room teams. These are skills that would help be an effective legislator.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Nothing

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “Legislators [in the 86th legislative session] were also successful in getting $3 billion for flood mitigation so our area can rebuild and prepare for the next hurricane.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “We also have the unique challenge of recovering from the devastation caused by Harvey while simultaneously working to mitigate damage from any future storms.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

TAXES

  • “Cities and counties fought the 3.5% property tax cap without voter approval, but the taxpayers won. Stopping taxpayer-funded lobbying is next.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “[District 28] is a place where Texans who work hard can still realize the American Dream. But that’s all under attack from by radical liberals who are destroying traditional Texas values. It’s further undermined by big government liberals who raise property taxes on productive citizens, making home ownership unaffordable to many.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
Endorsements
  • Nothing

Gary Gates (R)



Link


Twitter


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Real Estate Investment, Business Owner

EDUCATION

  • Unknown

On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “Protect innocent life” [Website]
  • “I am proud to be pro-life, and will always fight to defend the rights of the unborn.” [Facebook]

EDUCATION

  • As a community grows, the first pain points that are felt are in the schools. Oftentimes, our schools in growing communities are trying to catch up to meet the demands of the growth. The state needs to continue to support our public schools… to address the demands of growth” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “The best way to ensure the state has the resources to fund education… is to pass policies that ensure a robust Texas economy. As a businessman, I plan to do just that.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “support our public schools” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

HEALTHCARE

  • Nothing

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Nothing

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “The best way to ensure the state has the resources to fund… [and] address flood mitigation… is to pass policies that ensure a robust Texas economy. As a businessman, I plan to do just that.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

TAXES

  • “Protect taxpayers” [Website]
  • “The state needs to continue to support our public schools… to provide property tax relief for local tax payers.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “[One of] the top two issues with constituents is high property taxes… Texans want to know they will be able to afford to stay in their homes… I’ll be a strong advocate on [this] front.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “We need to continue the work of providing property tax relief” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Nothing

Gary Hale (R)



Link


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Voir Dire International, Owner
  • Non-Resident Research Fellow – Drug Policy, James. A. Baker Institute for Public Policy – Rice University
  • Law Enforcement-Intelligence Program Coordinator, Merida Initiative (2011 – 2012)
  • Drug Enforcement Administration, Chief of Intelligence – Field Intelligence Manager (1979 – 2010)
  • United States Embassy La Paz, Bolivia, Embassy Intelligence Coordinator (1987 – 1990)
  • United States Army, Radio Intercept Operator (1972 – 1977)

EDUCATION

  • Master’s, Universidad de Almería, Spain, European Law and Judicial Policy
  • Bachelor’s, Franklin Pierce University, Computer Sciences
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • Nothing

EDUCATION

  • “As your next State Representative I will… ensure that all Texans have an opportunity to excel by giving them access to a quality education.” [Facebook]
  • “Texas education should be the best in the nation. That begins with finding good teachers and paying them better than well.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

HEALTHCARE

  • Supports expanding the Compassionate Use Program to put Texas on par with the 33 states that currently allow safe and legal access for patients with debilitating medical conditions and a doctor’s approval [Website]

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • “The state needs to provide the infrastructure necessary to assimilate growth, including planning for new or expanded roadways” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “There is work to be done. In flood mitigation, more work needs to be done to protect homes and properties from federal intervention. The State of Texas needs more autonomy over water drainage decisions.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “The state needs to provide the infrastructure necessary to assimilate growth, including… mitigating water runoff and floods due to increased real estate development or weather events.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

TAXES

  • “I would, however, go a step further and address property tax relief for small businesses, especially those impacted by acts of God.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Nothing

Tricia Krenek (R)



Link


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Krenek Law Office, Attorney at Law
  • Fulshear City Council, Councilmember (2014 -2018)
  • Fulshear City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem (2014-2018)

EDUCATION

  • JD, University of Houston Law Center
  • Master’s, University of St. Thomas, Accounting
  • Bachelor’s, University of St. Thomas, Accounting
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “Led by her beliefs in God, family and Country, Tricia will fight to uphold our pro-life and pro-family values by…Protecting innocent life from conception to natural death” [Website]

EDUCATION

  • “I will also make public education improvements a top priority as our schools are a primary reason for families moving into our district.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “it is imperative that our public education system remains a top priority” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “As the product of public schools and mother of local public school graduates, Tricia is committed to promoting the best interests of our students. She knows that we – not the bureaucrats in Austin – know what’s best for our students and will fight for our local public schools by: supporting local control of our public schools, increasing the state’s share of education funding, making sure education dollars are steered toward the classroom and not bureaucrats, reforming our school finance system to reduce Robin Hood recapture payments, reducing our reliance on standardized tests so that teachers aren’t forced to ‘teach to the test’” [Website]
  • Tricia knows that we must do everything in our power to attract and retain quality teachers and support our retired teachers. That’s why she will fight to protect our teachers and retired teachers by: upholding our commitment to retired teachers by keeping the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) soluble, prioritizing state funding for additional across the board teacher pay raises” [Website]

HEALTHCARE

  • Nothing

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • “The biggest challenge [for District 28] is the efficient and effective management of our growth in terms of infrastructure and economic opportunities. I will use my business acumen and legal skills to develop policies that provide for fiscally sound infrastructure, that spur economic development and improve local quality of life.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “there’s more to be done. The recent floods demonstrate that we must secure more resources for flood mitigation and control and infrastructure.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “Improving local flood control is an ongoing issue in Fort Bend County. Given the severity and breadth of the flooding risks, this issue deserves serious attention. Tricia is intent upon minimizing both the risks and affects of flooding by: working with our federal, state and local partners to secure additional funding for flood control, ensuring state and federal flood control dollars are prioritized for the most critical projects and areas, holding flood control “Town Halls” to make sure citizens have a voice and hold elected officials accountable” [Website]

TAXES

  • “I will work towards meaningful property tax reform and the reduction of bureaucratic regulations that make it challenging for businesses.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “it is imperative that… we do more to provide meaningful property tax relief, including addressing the appraisal process.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “Our families and seniors should not live in fear of losing their homes because of skyrocketing property taxes. As a member of the Fulshear City Council, Tricia fought to reduce property taxes by nearly 20%. As your State Representative, Tricia will continue the fight for meaningful property tax reform by: increasing the state’s share of public education funding to help offset the local property tax burdens, prohibiting unfunded mandates from Austin that drive up property taxes, placing limits on property tax growth, increasing transparency and improving the rights of property owners in the property tax appraisal and protest process” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Laura Richard – Fort Bend County Clerk
  • Rodney & Marie Pavlock – Mayor and First Lady of Orchard, Texas
  • Billy Benton – Mayor of Rosenberg, Texas; Precinct 1037 Chair
  • Kaye Kahlich – Mayor Pro Tem, Fulshear City Council
  • Kent Pool – Fulshear City Council Member
  • Joe & Doris Gurecky – Former Mayor & First Lady of Rosenberg, Texas
  • Dan & Jenny McJunkin – Former Mayor and First Lady of Simonton, Texas
  • Lou Boudreaux – Former Mayor of Simonton, Texas
  • Stephen Gill – Former Fulshear City Council Member
  • James Fatheree – Former Fulshear City Council Member
  • Dennis Clack – Former Fulshear City Council Member
  • Amanda Barta – Former Rosenberg City Council Member
  • Amy Mitchell – Former Sugar Land City Council Member
  • Linda Harnist – Precinct 3149 Chair
  • Robert Pechukas – Precinct 3095 Chair
  • David Savage – Precinct 3144 Chair
  • A.D. Muller – Precinct 3156 Chair
  • Justin Schiro – Precinct 3150 Chair
  • Mahmud Dahri – Precinct 3159 Chair
  • Ed Krenek – Precinct 3006 Chair
  • Kyle Macfarlan – Precinct 4117 Chair
  • Gregory Lacy – Precinct 2101 Chair
  • Alan Stobbe – Precinct 3148 Chair
  • Mark Diehl – Precinct 3014 Chair
  • Michael Kim – Precinct 3038 Chair
  • Charlie Adaway – Precinct 4030 Chair
  • Kenneth Cannata – Precinct 1074 Chair
  • Kirk Dixon – Precinct 1154 Chair
  • Max Ibifrisolam – Precinct 2060 Chair
  • Todd Schuh – Precinct 4084 Chair
  • Dr. Gary & C.J. Aber
  • Robert & Synda Frost
  • Terese Raia
  • Glenn Plowman
  • Jerry Mosbacher
  • Lisa & Mark Haag
  • Carole McCann
  • J.D. McCann
  • Carl & Judy Jones
  • Martha Mathis
  • Kenneth & Cheryl Stalinsky
  • Kristine Thomason
  • Leah Hagan
  • Curtis Brown
  • Kelly Litvak
  • Michelle Kristynik
  • Rev. Dale Olson
  • Derek & Denise Einkauf
  • Jorden Mahler
  • George Lane
  • Dr. Glen & Melinda Ginter
  • Lilly Hargrave
  • Hugh Durlam
  • Bob & Jane Poe
  • Christy Willman
  • Terry & Kerry Crockett
  • Andrew Van Chau
  • CJ McDaniel
  • Robert Serrett

Sarah Laningham (R)



Link


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Baker Hughes, Sales Specialist

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor’s, Texas A&M University, Agricultural Engineering
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “The law should protect unborn… When the rights of the unborn are routinely denied and offending Christian values and Churches is considered normal, we must act.” [Website]

EDUCATION

  • Nothing

HEALTHCARE

  • Nothing

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • “Toll roads are a symptom of mismanaged money. Gas taxes meant for roadways are used for parks and pedestrian walkways and other non-road projects. Texas legislators allow excess tolls to be charged and these funds are diverted into regional transportation slush funds not related to the toll road. These tolls allow politicians to increase revenue without raising taxes. We should fix our roads and remove the tolls across the state.” [Website]

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • Nothing

TAXES

  • “Budget surpluses should be returned back to the people in the form of tax cuts. A surplus indicates that government over-collected taxes. Tax cuts force legislators to prioritize spending by eliminating waste. The state wastes a great deal of funds every year, and our state budget could be cut by 10% without citizens noticing a change. Legislators must return government back to its constitutionally limited role.” [Website]
  • “Property tax reform will provide tax relief to homeowners and businesses. Many families and businesses are seeing high increases in their property tax bills. The Senate passed legislation that would have allowed local taxpayers a vote on city and county tax increases of 4% or more but it was blocked by the House. We need more conservatives in the House to pass property tax reform to stop tax hikes, and get property taxes under control.” [Website]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Nothing

Clinton Purnell (R)



Link


Facebook

EXPERIENCE

  • Burns & McDonnell, Global Freight & Logistics Manager
  • AMEC Oil & Gas Americas, Logistics Supervisor (2013 – 2014)
  • Fluor, Supervisor & Material Management – Logistics (2012 – 2013)
  • Technip, Logistics Specialist (2008 – 2012)

EDUCATION

  • U.S. Customshouse Broker Course
  • Technip (University of Houston), Project Management Training Course
  • Mrs. Merilyn E. Fance, Supervisor & Leadership Training
On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

EDUCATION

  • “We do not support most of [the Democratic] agendas, such as… progressive approaches to education and political correctness.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “[One] of the topics [I hope to address in the 87th legislative session] may be comprehensive school finance reform… [and] additional funding to school districts” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

HEALTHCARE

  • “We simply cannot afford to sit idle allowing a Democrat to pick up these districts and implement their liberal agendas, such as… more government regulation of health care” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Nothing

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • Nothing

TAXES

  • “We simply cannot afford to sit idle allowing a Democrat to pick up these districts and implement their liberal agendas, such as higher taxes” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “We do not support most of [the Democratic] agendas, such as higher property taxes [and] increased taxes on certain individuals and corporations” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “[One] of the topics [I hope to address in the 87th legislative session] may be… state income tax debts” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Nothing

Propositions

PROPOSITION 1

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

Currently, municipal judges are prohibited from holding more than one paid public office at the same time. Many smaller municipalities (urban units of local government) do not have municipal judges. Municipal judges manage cases that arise in the municipality, such as domestic cases, ordinance violations, and misdemeanor offenses. Prop. 1 seeks to modify the constitution to allow municipal judges to hold more than one office in more than one municipality simultaneously.

 

PROPOSITION 2

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

In 1989, the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP) was established to provide financial assistance for water supply or sewer services projects in economically distressed areas. Maintaining and expanding water infrastructure is costly, but inadequate infrastructure can result in unsafe water supply, raw sewage runoff, and public health problems. As of 2019, there is no remaining unissued EDAP bonding authority. The purpose of Prop. 2 is to authorize additional funding in the form of bonds for the EDAP. According to the Legislative Budget Board, Prop. 2 would cost the state approximately $3.5 million in general revenue related funds through fiscal 2020-21.  

 

PROPOSITION 3

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

The Texas Constitution currently allows for various exemptions from ad valorem (or property) taxation. Prop. 3 aims to expand Section 2, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, by adding a temporary exemption. The exemption would temporarily apply to properties occupying a region declared by the governor to be a disaster area following a disaster. Presently, the only option for tax exemption post-disaster is reappraisal.

 

PROPOSITION 4

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual’s share of partnership and unincorporated association income.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

Prop. 4 is perhaps the most contradictory measure on the ballot, specifically because of the language used in the amendment. Presently, Texas does not impose a personal income tax. However, the Texas Constitution allows for the legislature to impose a tax on the incomes of natural persons if legislative requirements are met. Prop. 4 would eliminate this possibility by repealing the language that would authorize the legislature to impose the tax. However, the amendment uses the term “individual,” and the Texas Constitution uses the term “natural persons”. This disparity in language could potentially create a corporate tax loophole.

 

PROPOSITION 5

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas’ natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

Current law already allocates sales tax revenue from sporting goods to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission, however, these agencies are only receiving a small portion of revenues derived from that tax, determined by legislative appropriations. A significant portion of the funds are used by the comptroller of public accounts to certify the biennial state budget. Texas state parks and historic sites are experiencing an increase in visitors, but are suffering from inadequate staffing and deferred maintenance. Prop. 5 aims to ensure all sales tax revenue from sporting good sales goes to the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission.

 

PROPOSITION 6

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

In 2007, approved by voters, the legislature established the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and authorized the institute to provide grants for medical research, cure developments, clinical trials, and treatment access programs. CPRIT was approved to issue $3 billion in bonds, not exceeding $300 million per year. Approximately 1,300 grants have been awarded, totaling $2.2 billion. According to the Annual Report of the CPRIT in 2018, the institute is expected to exhaust the $3 billion in bonding authority by August 31, 2023. Prop. 6 would authorize an additional $3 billion in bonding authority for the CPRIT.

 

 PROPOSITION 7

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

Public education funding was a top priority in the 86th Legislative Session. Currently, there are statutes on the amount the General Land Office and the State Board of Education can distribute. Prop. 7 seeks to increase funding available for public education by increasing these statutes.

 

PROPOSITION 8

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

The objective of Prop. 8 is to create the flood infrastructure fund, separate from the general revenue fund. The flood infrastructure fund would provide financing for flood prevention and mitigation projects. There is no current statewide funding program to assist local jurisdictions in preparing for flooding. The Texas Water Development Board would govern the flood infrastructure fund and would have procedures for awarding grants and loans from the fund for eligible projects. Senate Bill 500, enacted by the 86th Legislature, would provide initial funding for the flood infrastructure fund, pending approval of the constitutional amendment. $793 million from the “rainy day fund” would be deposited into the flood infrastructure fund under SB 500.

 

PROPOSITION 9

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

While other states do not subject precious metal to property taxation, Texas does. This makes Texas precious metal depositories less competitive, and discourages people from purchasing and holding precious metals in the state. Prop. 9 would authorize tax exemption for precious metal held in a precious metal depository in the state.

 

PROPOSITION 10

AMENDMENT AS IT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT

“The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances.”

WHAT THIS MEANS

The Texas Constitution generally prohibits granting public property for a private purpose. This includes law enforcement animals. Prop. 10 seeks to amend the Texas Constitution to authorize the simple transfer of a police dog or other law enforcement animal, avoiding constitutional and statutory requirements. Retired law enforcement animals generally live with their handlers while in service, and the simple transfer of the animal after retirement to the caretaker and home it has known its entire life is in the best interest of the animal.

On the Issues

ABORTION / CONTRACEPTION

  • “Protect innocent life” [Website]
  • “I am proud to be pro-life, and will always fight to defend the rights of the unborn.” [Facebook]

EDUCATION

  • As a community grows, the first pain points that are felt are in the schools. Oftentimes, our schools in growing communities are trying to catch up to meet the demands of the growth. The state needs to continue to support our public schools… to address the demands of growth” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “The best way to ensure the state has the resources to fund education… is to pass policies that ensure a robust Texas economy. As a businessman, I plan to do just that.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “support our public schools” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

HEALTHCARE

  • Nothing

INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Nothing

INSURANCE / FLOOD

  • “The best way to ensure the state has the resources to fund… [and] address flood mitigation… is to pass policies that ensure a robust Texas economy. As a businessman, I plan to do just that.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

TAXES

  • “Protect taxpayers” [Website]
  • “The state needs to continue to support our public schools… to provide property tax relief for local tax payers.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “[One of] the top two issues with constituents is high property taxes… Texans want to know they will be able to afford to stay in their homes… I’ll be a strong advocate on [this] front.” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]
  • “We need to continue the work of providing property tax relief” [Community Impact Candidate Q&A]

 

ENDORSEMENTS
  • Nothing