Do you promise, if elected, to abide by the RPT platform? And if not, please enumerate what problems you have. 

Yes

Please list County Treasurer functions that should moved to another county department and/or be privatized and why?

I do not believe any of the functions should move out of the County Treasurer's office. If anything the newly created budget office should be moved into the Treasurer's office. As the new structure has merely expanded goverenment.

I am not sure anything should be privatized yet. I need to get into the office to do a bottom-up analysis. With a better financial software system, there could be enough cost savings in payroll, that privatized is not needed. 

What are your three biggest concerns about the County Treasurers Office?

Transparency

Independence

Innovation

How do you propose to make the Treasurers's Office more efficient?

I plan to do a complete review of all procedures and processes. After that review we will implement a system that is up to date with today's technology. There is no reason anyone should be using a manual time sheet in 2017.

 

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

I am running for County Treasurer to innovate the office, to improve the transparency and bring independence to this office.

No, I see no potential conflicts of interest.

What privacy issues between Texans and the federal government does the Treasurers office deal with and where is the line of balance between safety and privacy?

As the payroll arm of the county, there are a ton of privacy issues that require the utmost discretion. Additionally, the bail bonds administration requires the same. While some of these people may have committed horrible crimes, they are still to be respected. 

What 2 things about your opponent do the voters need to know?

I simply ask that the voters look into her for themselves.

Please describe your views on gambling as a funding source for education and other budget items, and whether gambling should be expanded or reduced. Why?

I personally think that state gambling (i.e. the lottery) is a poor man's tax, as more often than not it is those desperately seeking to better than life. Sadly, as I said it is a poor man's tax.

List all civic, political or union organizations or individuals to whom you have contributed time or money in the last five years.

I will have to review this in more detail. Seeing as I have my own business I am involved in many civic organizations. As for political, I have attended many fundraisers, but not contributed large sums of time or money to any one candidate.

Please describe your plan for balancing the county budget. What budget items need to be cut and what taxes and fees need to be increased?

We have to rid the county of ghost employees. That is the first step. Secondly, we need to start with 0 and work our way to the budget every year. You don't start with last year and decide what to keep or get rid of. I am a HUGE proponent of a zero based balanced budget. We have to stop assuming that our starting place was where we left off.

Do you support or oppose Increasing and Broadening the Sales Tax to reduce property taxes?  Why?

I feel that with a property tax no one ever truly owns their property and that is wrong. 

What is the best "mix" of taxing methods for state and local government? Why is that "mix" the best and how do we get there?

This is something I will have to look into more.

Please fully describe what methods of funding roads in Texas you will support and oppose, and give your reasoning. Please discuss all revenue sources, tax diversions, tolls, and debt.

I am against toll roads and am for a pay as you go model. Debt is a tool that has to be used with extreme caution. I don't feel it should be used unless the voters approve it.

What firearm and carry restrictions should Texas government require of citizens? Why?

I would not recommend that Texas have any standards beyond the license to carry and background check to purchase. I do not think that felons should be able to purchase which is why I prefer the background check. 

Do you support or oppose creation of Improvement Districts and Economic Development Districts? Why or why not?

Adding another taxing authority troubles me and at this point I see no need to do so.

If you were able to fix how public education was funded, how would you do it and why?

That is a HUGE question that I haven't studied the models enough. At this point that doesn't factor in the County Treasurer's race. As a school board member, that factors in, but not for the race I currently running for.

Is there anything in your background of an embarrassing nature that should be explained before your election? Arrests/Convictions? Bankruptcys?

No, I am proud of my background.

There have been times in which I took other people's word as truth without investigating it on my own. Since then, I have learned that some of what I was told was not true.

What are your plans for improving transparency as it relates to the office you're pursuing?

Accurately provide the financial documents to the public as soon as they are approved by Commissioners Court. Additionally, I will work with all departments to make sure they are in complete compliance.

List all clients you have represented or lobbied for on behalf of any governmental entity during the past five years.

Have not lobbied for anyone. I have represented clients in dealings with Texas Workforce Commission or the IRS. Due to confidentiality with my clients and the nature of our contracts, I am not at liberty to disclose who those clients are. They have all been privately held businesses in Texas.

Do you support or oppose English being the state language? Why?

I support English as the official language of the state. 

Who are your large donors and what is their relationship to you?

I have no donors of $5000 or more.