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

I’m the only candidate with:

• proven conservative track record
• experience needed to do the job
• will represent the people and make decisions based upon sound core values

What do you see as the 3 major challenges for your office over this next term?

• Solving Mobility Issues
• Managing Growth
• Planning for the future (budget/debt/infrastructure and capital improvements)

What goals do you have in mind, if you are elected, and to which you want to be measured against in the coming term?

• Hold me accountable to representing the people
• Improving Mobility
• Fiscal Stewardship

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

The best term limits are educated voters. Point in case, recent local elections. Where term limits are in place I support them. I think there are also drawbacks to term limits; bureaucrats (unelected/unaccountable individuals) can end up in control.

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.

Going back to my college years (1991 – 1994), I was very active in the Texas A&M College Republicans.  I worked on several campaigns and discussed current events and issues with local, state, and national political leaders.  I have consistently voted as a Republican and have openly shared my beliefs with others in an effort to inform, educate, and motivate others to vote.  During the spring of 2010, I helped Lisa Michalk in her campaign.  I served as foreman of the Montgomery County Grand Jury in the fall of 2010, a three-month commitment.  I have chosen to give back to the community coaching youth sports since 2003.  I have been involved in numerous community issues; Ken Lakes Drive, Grogans Mill Power lines, and FM 2978 noise abatement are just a few. I have worked with local tea parties and have advocated for individuals in the efforts to represent the community. I supported various candidates during my tenure as Commissioner.

What political party registrations have you held in the last 20 years?

Republican

List all individuals/groups you have represented or lobbied for before any governmental entity during the past five years.

None

Will you vote to limit budget increases to a factor based on population growth and inflation? Explain.

Every budget cycle should commence with adjustments for inflation and change in the population before other factors are considered. This is a good baseline for controlling growing budgets. Growing counties may not always be able to adhere to this concept because the increase in tax revenue follows growth.

What are the balanced budget “rules” for Texas counties in general and for Montgomery County in particular & how/when would you balance the Montgomery County budget & pay off debt?

Texas requires counties to have a balanced budget.

When is a Certificate of Obligation warranted?  Though statutory (created by legislature), would you publicly condemn/prevent its use for anything other than a true emergency for which it's intended?

Yes, I will vote for CO’s when appropriate. In my three years on the court we have not used them once. They should be used for true contingency purposes.

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

This concept has both merits and drawbacks. This process could be implemented at times to “reset” the budget and redefine budget processes. Some governmental entities have used this approach to review 15 to 20% of their budget at a time because of the time the process takes. I support reviewing all opportunities to better budget.

Do you oppose the use of public funds, other than for needed infrastructure, to subsidize the cost of private facilities such as stadiums, arenas, hotels and other such entities?  

I opposed the minor league baseball stadium. Yes, I oppose.

In light of census data showing average taxpayer salaries of $40K, what salary would be appropriate for the office you are seeking?

$40,000 is not the average salary for residents in Precinct 3. If you want good leaders, that are truly independent, they need to be paid according to the responsibilities; Montgomery County has a $300+ Million budget, over 2,200 employees and $400+ Million in debt.

What are the criteria for granting tax abatements?

Tax abatements are a tool we can use to attract and grow business in Montgomery County.  Each situation should be judged on the merits, but there would need to be proof that granting the abatement would be in the best interest of the taxpayers along with a definitive time period. The county should have criteria for tax abatements and they should be applied uniformly and fairly.

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?

Elected officials should have to vote to increase the amount of taxes collected. If this happened, budgets would be much smaller. Reasonability for growth of the tax rate depends on many circumstances.

What's your opinion on Toll Roads, in general?  What's your position on county using taxpayer money to fund Tomball Toll Road, yet using toll fees for maintenance?

I am not opposed to toll roads in general. I opposed tolling the flyovers and the Tomball Tollway being built by Montgomery County.

Will you vote for increasing the public debt of your jurisdiction to fund road construction/maintenance?  Explain why/not.

Yes. When issuing debt is necessary to fulfill statutory and constitutional duties. Construction and maintenance are not the same and should be handled differently. Routine maintenance, should be funded by the budget.

Do you think the county needs to zone areas to control population densities and development patterns?

This is not a statutory or constitutional authority granted to counties.

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

Yes, but this does not apply to their children.

Do you support awarding any contract with less than three qualified bidders and if so, when is it appropriate?

I demand open and fair bidding for purchases.  We need to select the bidder that will deliver the best service/quality of work for the best price and complete the project in a timely manner.  Competition ensures better results at better prices. Purchasing makes a recommendation to the court to award contracts. If the bidder meets minimum requirements and there are fewer than three (3) bidders it may be necessary to award with fewer than 3 bidders.

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

I don’t know how you can separate them.

What position did you take on the May 9, 2009 road bond? Why? What amount of road bonds are needed for Montgomery county and why is that the appropriate amount?

I do not recall a May 2009 road bond. Montgomery County is far behind in mobility. The passage of the last bond is a step forward to solving our mobility short comings. 

Are you active with any Tea Party or conservative grassroots organization? If so, list which, how long and what capacity? If not, what's your opinion of Tea Party groups here as to their effectiveness?

Yes, 5 years

Rank these issues (individually or as groups) by their importance with "1" being most important to you: abortion, ALAC, balancing the budget, civil unions and homosexual marriage, diversion of dedicated funds, English only, immigration, obamacare, property tax, sanctuary cities, school budgeting, CScope, toll roads, transportation, voter ID & water.

It’s not clear to me how to rank these, most do not apply to a County Commissioner