What makes you qualified for this office?  Name three main reasons you believe you’re the best candidate for this position?

My experience as a small business owner, as well as an elected official makes me far more qualified to serve on the Lone Star board of trustees.  I have had to make payroll, pay taxes, work through governmental regulations, and compete in a global marketplace.  As an elected official, I have served on the Humble ISD board of trustees, as a Houston City Council Member, and as Harris County Tax Asessor-Collector.  Additionally, I have been appointed by the last three Republican governors to serve on a board or commission.  Gov Abbott appointed me to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Gov Perry to his Task Force on Unfunded Mandates, and Gov Bush to the Executive Committee of the Region H Water Planning Group.  Collectively, these experiences make me far more qualified than my opponent.  

Is this position currently fulfilling its obligations?

The current District 8 Trustee and I have very different backgrounds and style.  My 40 years as a small business owner, as well as my service as a member of the Humble ISD board of trustees, Houston City Council Member, and Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector gives me much broader experience to draw from.  

What are the 3 largest challenges currently facing this position/office and your road map to address them?

In the near term, LSC is challenged trying to reopen the flood ravaged Kingwood campus.  While there was insurance on the damaged property, the system is paying for repairs up front, in hopes of being reimbursed by both FEMA and private insurance.

The entire system is faced with educated students for a dynamic and changing workforce.  I support workforce training, whereby students earn a degree or certificate in specific skill areas.

Many freshman students are not prepared for the rigors of higher education.  They often have to take remedial classes, which are a drain on resources, and hinder the student’s ability to begin classes.  Our local school districts must do a better job preparing students for post-secondary education, be it a four year university, or a local community college.

Lastly, affordability of college must be addressed.  Students should not be forced into debt to simply pursue a degree.  Every effort possible just be made to keep college affordable for students, and for costs to be restrained.  

Do you favor term limits? Please explain why or why not.

There are many politicians who serve far too long.  They become entrenched in the system, and sometimes part of the problem.  When I was on Houston City Cohen Col, I strongly favored their term limits of 6 years in office.  Those limits have not hindered the ability to serve taxpayers, and I have continued to support term limits.  

What special interest groups have you belonged to or attended meetings of? Include business, social, civic, educational, environmental or any other cause for which you have advocated or supported with time or money.

I have been fortunate to serve on the board of directors (advisory or honorary positions) of The 100 Club of Houston, HCA Healthcare, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.  

What special interest groups have you belonged to or attended meetings of? Include business, social, civic, educational, environmental or any other cause for which you have advocated or supported with time or money.

This appears to be a duplicate question.

Will you vote to limit budget increases to a factor based on student enrollment growth?

Yes.

Do you support using zero-based budget practices for every governmental entity, elected and appointed?

Yes.

Do you believe a component of compensation for teachers and chancellors should be based on merit, instead of the traditional system of seniority.

Yes.

What are the top 3 areas where the budget for LSC needs to be adjusted?

Lone Star’s annual budget is nearly $375 million. That funding comes from local property taxes, state funding, services and fees, and tuition.  As in most educational institutions, salaries and benefits make up 90-92 percent of expenses. A review of the LSC budget shows annual budget growth of 2-3 percent, which is less than population growth and inflation.  

Not to single out three areas for cost reductions, I pledge to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and not to simply rubber stamp the budget.  

Do you believe a lack of funding from the state is the primary reason for lower educational outcomes compared to other states or nations.

No.

Will you vote to award any contract with less than three qualified bidders?

No.

In light of increased property valuations, will you vote to decrease the property tax rate for LSC?

Yes.

What LSC needs would justify a tax rate increase?

There are no needs that would justify a tax rate increase for LSC.

As property assessments increase, giving government a bigger piece of an ever-increasing pie, should tax rates decrease so that tax revenue remains constant or grows at a reasonable rate? What is a reasonable growth rate for tax revenue?

Rising appraisal values should be offset by a corresponding reduction in the tax rate.  

A reasonable growth rate for tax revenue is “population plus inflation”.

Should tax dollars be used to provide medical care and public education to people who are in our country illegally?

No.

What is the appropriate staffing ratio of non-teachers to teachers?

Our highest priority must be to put resources into the classroom.  With the advent of online classes, an effort must be made to ensure there is a corresponding decrease in overhead.  Developing partnerships with outside entities, both public and private, could possible reduce non-classroom personnel.   

Have you ever been convicted as result of arrest? Ever had any tax liens? If so, give start & resolution dates?

The answer to both questions is “no”.

Do you believe the private conduct of a public official is relevant to that official’s suitability for office?

Yes.

How will you improve the transparency and access to financial and other records for the public?

I have been a long time supporter of openness and transparency in government.  In each of my three elected offices, I was more than compliant with open records laws, and did not hide behind any bureaucracy to shield the public from its right to know what its government is up to.  

What political party have you affilated with over the last twenty years? Do you believe in that party platform(all of it or % part - if %, please describe what you disagree with?

I have always been a Republican and supported the party, and ran for office as a Republican.  I support the part with both my time and money.  

I am fully supportive of the party’s platform.  

Do religious and moral views have any role in the county governance process? Why or why not?

I believe that our religious and moral values should be included in all levels of government.  Prayer should be allowed in public meetings, our moral convictions should govern how decisions are made in government, and we should not back down to fringe groups who try to infringe on our rights.  

Should municipal and school board elections allow for ballot declarations of party/independent affiliation?

Yes, and I would have been honored to file for this position in the Republican Primary.

Do you support or oppose a government entity to engage in a business enterprise in competition with a private enterprise? Why?

Government should not compete against the private sector, or engage in private enterprise.