Qualifications
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
While working at one of the largest refining companies as a Professional Electrical Engineer, I was responsible for critical infrastructure automation for all refineries and the cybersecurity associated with them world wide. Critical Infrastructure will be a significant topic for the next legislative session. I testified and provided an amendments to help get 11 bills passed related to the Electric Grid last session. I know how to get things done in Austin. I helped negotiate international policy related to critical infrastructure with other companies and found common ground, something that is needed in Austin. I have been a Junior Collage Instructor, School Board Member and HOA Board member. I care about people and their quality of life.
Healthcare
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation. What steps would you take as a state representative to ensure access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, for residents who are currently uninsured or underserved in your district?
My wife is a retired Psychological Therapist. I am very sensitive to the needs of people that need mental health especially the youth at the Juvenile detention facility she worked at. I would be looking to other representatives that are more knowledgable in this area to support legislation for mental health and healthcare in general.
Education
What measures would you support to ensure adequate state funding for public schools and accountability for taxpayer funds used in voucher or education savings account programs?
House District 149 has two Public Schools. One ISD is at or near the bottom performance in every grade level, the other ISD is in good standing. I am in favor of Governor Abbott’s plan to move more of the School funding to the state for a couple of reasons. The under performing school needs funding to implement identified improvements but the people of the district can not afford higher taxes. Without funding for identified improvements, that school will continue to lose students. I am in a unique position to understand the large state infrastructure expenditures and to be able to argue for some funding for ISD identified improvements. Accountability of vouchers is the responsibility of the comptroller and I will be asking questions.
Issues
What are the two most pressing issues unique to your district, and what specific, measurable actions would you take to address them during your term?
Crime is the biggest issue by far followed by cost of living. We have the same criminals victimizing our citizens over and over. For starters, we should revisit SJR87 Denial of Bail for persons previously convicted or released on bail. With respect to cost of living, we need to reduce our property tax. Moving some of the local school tax to the state will help. Also, residents and small business electric rate is 178% more than large businesses. That is largest gap in the nation and we are an energy rich state! This is wrong! For example. I was part of the group that recently helped pause a $100 Billion Electric Grid project that would have been paid by residents and small businesses for the next 33 years on their electric bill.
