This is a Republican primary race. Do you promise, if elected, to abide by the RPT platform? And if not, please enumerate what problems you have.
Yes.
What was your position on the prospects of removing the Alamo cenotaph and your involvment?
The Cenotaph is and shall always be a special, sacred symbol to our great Texas history. While the monument may need repair, moving it away from its position of honor and prominence is a non-starter.
When it came time for the Texas Historical Commission to make their final decision regarding the Cenotaph, I provided what I feel was compelling public testimony making clear my position - and the position I feel is echoed by the overwhelming majority of Texans - that we should not move the Cenotaph.
My testimony is on my personal Facebook page.
As a new TGLO commissioner, what did/are the first two changes you made/envision making?
I have targeted more than two areas. I list the two priorities first, but my action plans will address these issues as soon as possible so we can advance the conservative agenda in a more efficient manner.
- Streamline the Disaster Recovery / Disaster Mitigation system in the GLO. Texans should not be forced to wait years for various layers of government to create plans, achieve approval from countless other agencies, and then present citizens with a plan months (or years) after the disaster.
- Remove barriers to land utilization by investors and entrepreneurs to increase GLO revenue generation while simultaneously creating new job opportunities for Texans. The restructured relationship between the GLO and the SBOE will benefit from this increased revenue stream.
- Improve Veteran's Services by mending the relationship between the Texas Veteran's Commission and the GLO. At present, there is not the level of cooperation needed for such an important part of our Texas citizenry. It is also important to improve the visibility of the Veterans' Land Board.
- Strengthen the protections for the Alamo. The Alamo is and shall always remain a sacred shrine to liberty and our great Texas history. The meddling by those who seek to rewrite our great history shall find no support at the GLO.
- Protect GLO assets along the Texas borders, serving as force multipliers for the efforts of those who seek to secure our borders, enhancing services to border landowners left adrift by the failure of the Federal Government to take affirmative action to protect our citizens> In every way we shall work to stem the flow of dangerous drugs into Texas while battling the scourge of human trafficking, which we all recognize is nothing less than modern-day slavery.
- Protect Texas' lands from the intrusion of foreign agents seeking to carve up our lands to their own ends. The GLO will be a viable, attractive alternative to those who must, for whatever reason, sell their land.
What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?
The General land Office is in need of serious leadership. It does not need a caretaker or placeholder or an opportunist, but someone focused on the requirements of the office. When I looked at various ways I might serve Texas, this particular office lept out as the perfect opportunity for me to serve.
- I believe in servant leadership - not self-serving "leadership." Texas needs a Land Commissioner who is focused on the GLO, not looking for the next office in their ascent up the political ladder.
- I have a skillset ideal for the office. I am not one to sit on the sidelines and complain without offering solutions. As I examined my life, I recognized I was in a position to serve Texas and her people. My skills, expertise, and experiences mesh well with the needs of the office.
As a heart surgeon who overcame a crippling injury, I found the Texas grit within me to rebuild my life. I faced great difficulty and hardship - which left me with a sense of determination that does not falter when faced with great adversity or challenges. The GLO needs a Texan with that determination.
As an attorney, I have fought government overreach, negotiated land deals, and helped entrepreneurs achieve success. When I look at the needs of the state and the challenges we face in this time of an ineffectual federal government, Texas and the GLO require a leader who is well equipped to fight the legal and political battles ahead.
As a former member of the US Army Medical Corps (Reserve) I have a keen interest in the veteran community. Our Veterans' Care Homes will be well served by having a leader who not only has worn the same uniform but who has also cared for the medical needs of veterans for many years.
- I get things done. I am not confined by preconceived notions of what is possible or permissible. I have built my career by doing what was required, even when it seemed impossible. Texas needs leaders who are not chained to conventional thought, but who recognize in themselves the same Texas spirit that gave our founders the determination and will to build the great state of Texas.
I do not anticipate any conflicts of interest. I do not have any business with the GLO at present, nor am I looking to do so. I want to bring greater transparency to the workings of the land office. One tool I propose to implement is a readily accessible "checkbook" so all Texans can see what their Land Office is doing for them.
Why have you chosen to run for Texas Land Commissioner rather than Texas Agriculture Commissioner or Texas Comptroller?
The office of the Agriculture Commissioner and Comptroller are very important. I do not believe I am the best fit for either; seeking them would be a sign that I merely sought a political office, not that I sought to serve.
I want to serve Texas in the best way I can - which is at the GLO.
What differentiates you from your opponents?
- I have a skillset and life experiences particularly suited to the GLO.
A surgeon, who understands the healthcare challenges confronted by our veterans.
A veteran, who supports our veteran community and will bridge the artificial divide created by various silos within Texas' government to provide our veterans the support they deserve.
A veteran who fights against the high rate of suicide in our veteran community.
An entrepreneur, who understands the challenges facing Texans who seek to strengthen Texas against foreign dependence, bringing industry and trades back to Texas.
A son of a teacher who understands the value of education - all types of education - and looks for Texans to have choices for the education of their children.
A supporter of trade education, recognizing that Texas needs more than just PhDs, JDs, MDs, and MBAs to face the challenges of the future, and all of us make Texas better.
A man who is not afraid of working with his hands and considers any work that supports a Texan and his or her family essential.
A scholar, who understands and has written about the challenges facing our state on its southern border, offering real solutions.
A man who recognized and raised the alarm over government overreach and the tyranny of government mandates, no matter how "well-intentioned," and the danger of big government stripping Texans of their freedoms and liberty.
A man who has not only personally endured several natural disasters and suffered great personal loss, but has helped others recover and rebuild while he did the same.
A man who has taught disaster recovery strategies yet is always open to learning new and better ways.
- An attorney who understands and has experience in the fight against government overreach; a patriot who understands the importance of protecting our liberties;
- I am not looking to build a platform or a campaign war chest for a run at another office.
- I am not afraid of the fallout of challenging federal or state officials in my quest to serve Texas and Texans.
- Real-world Experience.
Please describe your experience in land management.
My family has a long history of rural land ownership. Yet even as a young man, I learned that mere ownership is not land management. The land is a resource that must be managed - protected, nurtured, grown, and conserved. Each parcel, each acre is unique. Whether it is surface development, farming, the water, surface minerals, or the dominant deeper estate, proper land management uses each level to its most effective end. And we must be aware and on guard for those who look to use traditional conservation tools to rob landowners of their heritage and livelihood, particularly in light of the federal government's ever more aggressive land grab tactics. In an era when governments often use eminent domain to further goals of dubious design, my professional training prepares me to deal with these issues to protect Texas and Texans.
My legal and personal experience have equipped me to deal with every aspect of management, whether working with a real estate developer who seeks to lease land for a project to benefit Texans; to leasing grazing lands to ranchers or farmland to farmers;to the mining of Silver or Uranium or even the rare earth element Beryllium; to the preservation, restoration, and appropriate use of water; to the novel uses, such as CO2 sequestration offshore to not only generate revenue for Texas but to also protect the oil and gas industry; to protect our beaches and waterways; and to support our oil and gas industry.
Yet my most beneficial experience is the common sense to know when I need to ask others for advice coupled with the relationships I have made with others in the sectors of our economy the GLO serves. In short, I am not hobbled by pride; I am driven by results and service.
Please discuss the challenges the TGLO faces in dealing with the federal Bureau of Land Management and how you propose to meet those challenges.
The Federal BLM ever seeks to worm its way into Texas. In the past, the GLO has fought the federal government over dubious claims, and under my leadership, we will continue to do so. The Biden administration's 30 by 30 program has placed the land in other states in great jeopardy, but to think Texas is protected by the retention of our public lands is foolish. Many Texas landowners participate in federal programs that must be frequently renewed. While these arrangements are between the landowner and the federal government, experience has shown the federal government is adjusting these arrangements to alter longstanding agreements in the federal government's favor. Many landowners are not aware, so the GLO will work diligently to protect Texans from this.
Other organizations - outside of government - are aligned with the GLO mission, and the GLO will work with them to protect our great state and its land from this insidious threat.
Please list any federal grant monies you would refuse because of federal "strings."
I believe we must carefully evaluate all federal grant monies for the inevitable strings. Anytime there is a string, we must ask several questions. I list a few
- Does Texas really need the grant?
- Is the "string" good for Texas, or does it serve the federal government's agenda over that of Texans?
- Are there ANY alternative means to achieve the desired goal that do not involve federal strings?
- Will the grant serve Texas for a short time, only to leave Texans with an unfunded mandate that will pose a burden in the future?
- What is the federal government's real motive?
At present, I point to the 30 by 30 program as one that will offer short-term monies for a long-term obligation. It is not in the best interest of Texas.
Along our border, the federal government sees the eminent domain taking of property as the only means to bolster border security, yet these same ends can be achieved by surface leases. While USCBP insisted on such a program and our US Attorney for the Southern District of Texas wanted a southern border wall, had the federal government had a strong GLO to offer an alternative, landowners along our southern border would still own their land along the border where now the landowner cannot build a fence or cooperate with Texas to build a wall.
Flood control monies frequently (almost always) come with many strings. Texas has the funds and will to undertake flood control projects - as we have in the past in this area. As progress stalls in the post-Harvey mitigation and future preparation, we must give serious consideration to declining federal monies and pivoting to Texas-funded projects. And while I know many will protest Texas should knuckle under to the might of the myriad federal agencies, Texas can and should address the federal government's overreach with projects that are completed without them and their strings. It is easier, after all, to ask forgiveness for a project well done than to ask permission from the bloated bureaucracy of Washington DC.
What new initiatives should the TGLO undertake to ensure the preservation of Texas' family farms and ranches?
Many farmers and ranchers are struggling to survive in today's economy. At a recent soil and water meeting, I heard many long-time landowners whose families have been invested in Texas for generations worry over their ability to continue to operate their ranches and farms in the face of ever-increasing red-tape, regulations, and taxes. Historic ranches are carved up for commercial development or purchased by foreign nationals. These are but a few of the challenges landowners face.
As more land is taken for non-traditional uses, our agricultural strength declines. Today Texas not only fuels the nation, but Texas also provides the food and fiber to nourish and clothe our people. We cannot ignore the land.
The GLO will work to preserve these properties through partnership arrangements to use the land for its best use and maintain continuity of acreage and the various mineral estates. When possible, the GLO can use its resources to stand between landowners who must sell a property and foreign nationals who seek to gain a foothold in our great state. Some the GLO may purchase, while for others the GLO may determine a long-term lease is most beneficial for Texas.
Texas ranches and farms are an important part of our history - who better than the land office to help preserve this history.
Describe the proper role of TGLO in dealing with Texas water issues and list at least two specific initiatives you recommend.
Water is a valuable resource to all Texans, and the GLO must treat water as a valuable asset on its lands.
Initiatives to explore are
- Limiting the ability of developers to draw water without consideration to its collateral use. Selling water can be a useful tool, but it must be balanced against the needs of the local area versus the needs of some far distant metropolis.
- Improved agricultural water conservation initiatives are already being undertaken by Texas ranchers and farmers, and the GLO must partner with these groups to improve our water security.
- Certain lands across Texas, including certain lands in our southern counties, could be dedicated to the use in water conservation. This would improve the water security of our West and South Texas citizens, affording the transformation of these lands into more productive agricultural uses.
Please comment on the TGLO's disaster relief response to the wildfires of 2011 & 2012, and hurricanes Ike(2008) and Harvey (2017)?
The GLO's response to natural disasters has been lethargic and handicapped by red tape. Bureaucracy is not only found in the District of Columbia. The response to the wildfires, hurricanes, and south Texas floods has not been efficient and aggressive. Each week, we hear of funds finally being released to the public. Hurricanes Ike and Dolly are a distant memory to all but those who still await a response! Personally, I have been flooded twice; while I have rebuilt each time, I know many Texans have yet to do so. This is unacceptable. It has been a decade since we faced the urgent need for a flood control system to protect Galveston Bay. Just this year the area narrowly avoided the disaster a minor shift in a storm's path would have wrought on the area.
A proactive response, leading and not following the federal response is more ideal. Such an aggressive state-led response is burdened with fewer federal "strings." We can avoid the pains of responding with "too little, too late."
Texas has significant financial resources at its disposal. While the GLO alone cannot achieve such a restructuring of our responses, it can take the lead and challenge Texas lawmakers to partner with the GLO to address these weaknesses. As I noted above, this is a priority for me.
Please discuss the proper working relationship between the TGLO and FEMA and what changes can be made to improve relief efforts
[ After Harvey, GLO was tasked with redeveloping the Texas model for disaster recovery, aiming to support Texans not only in the long term but also to help address the immediate needs of Texans. The GLO's role should not be confused with that of the Texas Department of Emergency Management, and these programs should not be confused with other programs, like the GLO - HUD efforts for long term recovery.
While there has been considerable effort reworking the state's response, there remains much work to do. There is a need for speed in delivering assistance that must be balanced with financial prudence and responsibility. Everyone can readily appreciate the potential for fraud - some cities seek and obtain funds for an appropriate purpose, but then redirect the funds inappropriately. ]
After Harvey, the GLO worked with FEMA after a disaster to provide urgent, immediate relief to Texans in the form of housing solutions. FEMA established the criteria for participation, and the GLO provided the administrative services for the projects.
These relief programs - providing temporary housing - were intended to provide short-term relief or limited home repair. While for a few Texans, this was enough, but these are distinct from longer-term programs, such as mitigation and recovery grants.
The GLO works with local entities - city and county governments, typically - to implement these tools.
Going forward, because of some abuses at the local level, the program must be updated to account for these problems. Overall, however, the GLO should work to be more responsive in the early stages, even before some criteria are put forth by the federal government.
Please give your view of the relationship between the TGLO and the Texas Department of Agriculture and what improvements can be made in the working relationship between the two.
The two entities don't work together in many ways. Government agencies often see little incentive to work well with others, particularly when a project might enhance the standing of a perceived rival. Since I am focused on the GLO, my sole focus is improving the lives of Texans. This makes it easier to make these commitments. Between the Department of Agriculture and the GLO, there is great potential for cooperation. I will make that happen.
One of the simplest methods for cooperation would be a united stance against federal overreach.
Farmers and ranchers depend on the land for their livelihood. While the Department of Agriculture works with farmers and ranchers on many fronts, the GLO can and should work with that department to protect these landowners from overreach programs. One of these is the 30 by 30 conservation project of this current administration. While I have already alerted many ranchers and farmers of the dangers these programs pose, at the GLO I will be able to tackle such issues from a position of greater strength and visibility.
Water is an important resource for everyone, but it is vital for ranchers and farmers. The GLO can and will work to strengthen our water supply by improving our existing dams and creating reservoirs to enhance water delivery. Along our border, there is the potential to create reservoirs for use n agriculture that would also address some of the challenges of illegal immigration. For agricultural lands in the regions most subject to drought, these reservoirs would transform those lands for the good not only of their owners but for all of Texas.
The GLO manages some land that is useful for grazing and other agricultural purposes. By making such land available, the GLO can partner with the Department of Agriculture and help Texas agriculture. This would move more land into the productive side of the GLO portfolio.
These are but the simplest of examples. The soil and water conservation boards of Texas have many projects that would benefit from the participation of the GLO and the Department of Agriculture. Ultimately, the goal of both entities should be Texas' self-reliance, economic independence, and the minimization of federal regulatory impact on Texans.
What should TGLO do to better protect or prepare Texas coastal regions against natural disasters?
Texans have been waiting for a plan to combat coastal flooding since Hurricane Ike. Endless waiting for a perfect plan will result in prolonged vulnerabilities for Texas coastal communities.
Once any plan is formulated then Texans would be forced to wait for the inevitable Congressional wrangling and arguing over funding. Instead, Texas must act decisively to protect itself. While the federal government will erect roadblocks, by our action Texas will force a response and action by the federal government. Should Texas actually complete any project without federal interference, Texas can seek reimbursement from the federal government for the work done.
An example of such a program is the Ike Dike.
As to Texas property owners along the coast, erosion remains an important issue. In the past, Texas was sometimes adversarial to Texans when disaster struck. Instead, Texas should work with coastal landowners to recover from the damages of erosion. (See Severance v. Patterson.)
Addressing issues on the coast alone is not wise. Further inland, GLO should work with the legislature and governor to unify the various agencies responsible for flood control operations instead of leaving them in individual silos. A coordinated response could have better addressed the release of floodwaters from reservoirs and lakes during Harvey.
What more can the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) do in support of Texas veterans?
As I have traveled across Texas I often ask my veteran friends what they know of the Veterans' Land Board, Care Homes, or even our Texas State Veterans' Cemeteries. Many know nothing - a sign of failure on the part of the GLO/VLB. The GLO must do a better job of informing our veterans and their families of these programs.
Additionally, the GLO must work alongside other agencies and organizations serving our veterans as partners and not competitors. I know there are interagency rivalries and organizations often work blindly in silos. Greater cooperation with the Texas Veterans' Commission, for example, is a good start.
Non-government agencies that benefit veterans can also be good partners. There are many potential partners there.
One mission that every Texan should accept is to fight against Veteran suicide. In recent years more of our Veterans have taken their lives than have died in combat. No one should find this acceptable.
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?
This is a question for the people of Texas and not for any elected. However, the Republican Party Platform makes clear the opposition of the Republican Party - MY party - to any expansion of gambling in Texas, as well as its opposition to increased reliance on gambling to fund state activities.
Please describe your philosophy of public land management.
Proper land management must balance short-term needs and goals with the long-term good and needs of the people of Texas. Some projects might be tempting in the short term but are better for Texas if they are shelved for later use or never undertaken at all.
Take, for example, a windmill project. If a company wishes to lease land for a windmill, it will provide revenue for Texas. But will it generate a benefit that will offset its impact on the land and the people around the state-owned parcel? What is the impact beyond the GLO's balance sheet? When GLO leases land, will the tenant return the land to the prior state, or will the land be left with an improvement the people want? Will it leave, for example, a giant cement footing that must be removed by the state at state expense? Each project requires this sort of evaluation of present and future impacts.
For some historical properties, a consideration of the past is also important as we must preserve our Texas history.
The GLO will always be aware of federal attempts to intrude into Texas as well, and these will play a role in every decision.
It is also important for the GLO to consider the impact its projects have on Texans. The GLO has the potential to be a rather overbearing neighbor, developing projects that may be unwelcome by neighbors. In private business, some elect to not be good neighbors, but the GLO is a servant of the people - it should calculate these impacts and outcomes into its decisions.
If you only plan for today and are shortsighted, tomorrow will be bleak. Work with all Texans to build a strong self-sustaining portfolio, and the future is bright.
And to be very clear - cronyism has no place at the GLO.
