Q&A: Get to know Harris County Precinct 2 commissioner candidates Garcia, Morman

Why are you running for the role of county commissioner?

As a lifelong cop, public safety has been a top priority of mine going back to when I signed up for the police academy as a young man. As the son of a mechanic, I’ve valued the importance of hard work and helping others my entire life. Finally, as a “public-health baby” I recognize the importance of access to health care. Making Precinct 2 the best place to live, work and play is what drives me.

What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?

There are several issues that count as the “biggest” facing Harris County. Public safety will always be a top concern, even with crime trending downwards. We also need to address flooding, and we have a huge population of people without health insurance and no access to the world-class care of the Texas Medical Center. We address these issues by identifying and investing strategically in initiatives that help. And we show up to work.

How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?

I have proven myself to be the compromise commissioner. It was my work that helped build a compromise, 5-0 unanimous vote on last year’s tax rate cut. It was me and my office that helped gain unanimous support at Commissioners Court and a successful bail bond board vote for the 10% minimum bail for violent crime rule. I could give several more examples, but there is a word count limit!

How will you balance meeting the county’s infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and well-being of county residents?

I led the efforts to get additional funding to reduce the shortfall for flood bond projects when the General Land Office originally snubbed Harris County. However, I also recognize that the needs of my precinct are specific to my precinct. That’s why I procured two state-of-the-art ACCESS2HEALTH Smart Pods to bring care to 2 Precinct 2 health care deserts. We’ve also invested a historic amount in public safety since I’ve been in office. Balance comes from understanding.

How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail?

We’ve already begun to address both in a major way. We’ve invested millions to make the Harris County DA’s office the highest-paying prosecuting agency in the state. This should attract the best and brightest. We also attacked the backlog by adding a new court and associate judges and with other solutions that are starting to pay off now. To address overcrowding, all parts of the system must be working in unison to process cases faster.

Why are you running for the role of county commissioner?

Violent crime is too high and support for law enforcement is too low on Commissioners Court. The defunding of police is wrong, and that’s what has been done. Victims deserve better. Taxes must remain low, and we must also protect our oil and gas jobs.

What is the biggest issue facing Harris County right now, and how do you plan to address it?

Public safety and defunding. The best solution is heavy and real investment in more law enforcement resources to fight a real war on crime.

How will you work with your colleagues on the court to get things done?

As always, I will be an honest broker who deals in facts and gets things done for the people of East Harris County.

How will you balance meeting the county’s infrastructure needs with ensuring the health and wellbeing of county residents?

By making sure infrastructure projects are handled efficiently, are needs-based and carried forward without political favoritism. We also must make sure public health projects have real impact and are not wasteful. It’s a balance.

How will you tackle the criminal court case backlog and the overcrowding at the county jail?

By putting the resources needed into all aspects of public safety, including at the jail and in the courts.