Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more information about voting in Harris County, visit www.harrisvotes.com.
Kay Smith
Experience:
served community as an advocate, precinct chair, election judge, vice president of HCDE
Occupation:
self-employed
Candidate Website:
https://www.texansforsmith.com
Why are you running to represent House District 148?
The candidate's response did not meet Community Impact's Q&A guidelines.
What are the most important issues facing residents in your district, and how would you address them if elected?
Our city/county faces safety and security issues due to defunding the police and cutbacks exacerbated by an open border policy. Flooding our community with drugs, violence and trafficking. And parental rights are under attack.
How would you address statewide teacher shortages and learning gaps exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our focus has to be on our children's education because they represent our future. Proper funding and a better curriculum will ensure better educated children. After all, every time the school district wants to pass a bond, "it is for the children.”
How would you address inflation and help alleviate other financial burdens for your constituents?
We have to reign in spending and committing to projects whose time has not come but just artificially inflated and projected.
How would you address environmental issues, such as pollution, to ensure your constituents live in a healthy community?
The current federal administration while complaining about pollution is doing everything it can to promote unsafe and unsanitary conditions. ...
Penny Morales Shaw (incumbent)
Experience:
native Houstonian, business owner, lawyer, human rights advocate, mother, former Deputy Chief for Harris County commissioner
Occupation:
lawyer
Candidate Website:
https://www.voteforpenny.com
Contact Information:
512-463-0620
Why are you running to represent House District 148?
My campaign for House District 148 is a continuation of my lifelong commitment to public service. As my colleagues and constituents know, I'm a tireless advocate, and I look to bring that energy and drive in my second legislative session in the Texas House of Representatives.
What are the most important issues facing residents in your district, and how would you address them if elected?
1) The Grid: … The essential solution to these issues of electricity reliability and cost is to increase the supply of baseload energy onto the grid. … 2) Inflation/cost of living: … In the coming legislative session, bringing down costs for working families will be the linchpin of my policy agenda. … 3) Public Safety: Two areas of public safety that I will address in the coming legislative session are mental health and reducing gun violence. …
How would you address statewide teacher shortages and learning gaps exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would address this issue first by reversing the enormous disrespect that is shown to teachers by public officials … On a policy level, I will address this issue by increasing per-pupil spending … to reduce classroom size, invest in critical educational resources and increase teacher salaries, including implementing a meaningful cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers.
How would you address inflation and help alleviate other financial burdens for your constituents?
Reducing Texans' financial burdens will require a combination of reforming our regressive tax code; fighting corporate monopolies in sectors, including energy, food and consumer goods; and making meaningful investments with the state's record-setting surplus in child care, health care and housing.
How would you address environmental issues, such as pollution, to ensure your constituents live in a healthy community?
… I am focused on reforming the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including making it easier for the public to report violations and participate in the permitting process, requiring greater transparency and accountability from TCEQ in its disclosures to the public … and ensuring that TCEQ has the necessary resources …
Grizzle Trojacek
Experience:
Candidate did not respond by press time.
Occupation:
Candidate did not respond by press time.
Why are you running to represent House District 148?
Candidate did not respond by press time.
What are the most important issues facing residents in your district, and how would you address them if elected?
Candidate did not respond by press time.
How would you address statewide teacher shortages and learning gaps exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Candidate did not respond by press time.
How would you address inflation and help alleviate other financial burdens for your constituents?
Candidate did not respond by press time.
How would you address environmental issues such as pollution to ensure your constituents live in a healthy community?
Candidate did not respond by press time.
