Mike Schofield, Republican
Occupation: Attorney, representative for Texas House District 132
Experience: Incumbent for Texas House District 132, policy adviser to former Gov. Rick Perry, GOP state convention delegate, attorney
Top priorities: Tax relief, protected voter ID, school finance reform, border security
Website: www.mikeschofield.com
1. Should the state tap into its Rainy Day Fund in order to expedite and pay for flood control measures in the Houston area?
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, flood prevention is one of the most important issues affecting Katy and Cypress. When natural disasters have struck other areas of the country, the federal government has stepped up to fund the projects. U.S. Congressmen Mike McCaul (R-Texas) and John Culberson (R-Texas) have been instrumental in securing federal funding for a third reservoir in the Katy prairie to protect us from future floods. Only after we determine the extent of available federal funding should we consider using the Rainy Day Fund for one-time expenses for flood control projects, particularly those that are not covered by either the federal government or the $2.5 billion Harris County bond that recently passed.2. If elected, what steps would you take to firm up educational financing in the state?
Our current state-wide "one size fits all" school finance system cannot fit the needs of providing an education in districts in large counties like Harris (with 4.5 million people) and [small] counties like Loving in West Texas (with about 88 people). We need an entirely new structure, most likely one that doesn't try to treat enormous and tiny districts identically. Instead, we need to consider a system that puts school districts into tiers based on their size and funds each size district in a way that best provides for its actual needs. Simply having the state [of Texas] pay more under the current system won't solve anything. The system is broken. The state gets its money from the same place the property tax system does—Texas taxpayers. If you don't like Robin Hood, in which a portion of your property tax money goes to other districts, you really won't like increasing the "state" share, where all of your sales tax money goes to Austin to be spread around the state. We need a real solution.3. What should be done by the state of Texas to ensure that the border is secure?
Texas has spent over $1.6 billion to secure the border because the federal government [has not]. We need to keep working to secure our border and ensure that people who follow the rules and enter legally can immigrate here, but we must be very clear that people cannot come here illegally and expect our taxpayers to pay for their education, health care and social services. To that end, Texas will continue to supply National Guard troops, equipment and expertise to patrol the border.4. What will you do to maintain low unemployment in the state and ensure Texans are earning enough money to live on?
If Texas were a country, it would have the tenth largest economy in the world. Our economy continues to outpace every other state because Texans insist that their government maintain low taxes, a low and consistent regulatory environment that doesn't stifle job growth, and a legal system that discourages the frivolous litigation that wastes resources that can better be used to grow the companies that provide jobs for Texans. The best thing the state can do is continue to provide that environment and the necessary infrastructure (particularly highways and an education system that provides a knowledgeable workforce), then stay out of the way and let Texans' ingenuity continue to drive a thriving economy.
Gina Calanni, Democrat
Profession: Finance director
Experience: Over 20 years of experience working in legal, financial and energy companies for both the private and public sectors in Texas.
Top priorities: Public education finance reform, flood control, affordable access to health care and ending human trafficking
Website: www.ginacalanni.com