BC: Senate District 4 and the entire state are facing serious health care concerns and risks from COVID-19, and the resulting economic crisis from shutdowns. Residents here want the same as everyone else in the state—they want to go to work, build a business, send their children to good schools, and live in a safe community. And those challenges will be addressed in all of my legislative priorities next session.

BC: Small businesses have been forced to shut their doors, and still have the burden of rent and payroll. And I am committed to opening up Texas 100% so the job creators, the ones who constantly give back to our communities, have a fighting chance to keep their doors open. That means, opening up all businesses, schools for families that want in-person instruction, and encouraging confidence in getting back to our lives, whether that is at a restaurant, in church, at a concert, or a football stadium.

BC: I work every day to promote pro-family, pro-business policies. To ensure prosperity, we must work toward improving the Texas economy, focus on job creation and pro-business policies, education and workforce initiatives, property tax reform and relief including appraisal reform, continued border security and making sure that Washington, D.C. allows Texas to run Texas.

On a personal note, I am an eighth generation Texan, I grew up here and am raising my family here, and I do everything I can to stay engaged with every community, and every industry throughout the district.

BC: My staff and I have been in meetings over the last year and a half developing policy for this upcoming session. I'm working on pro-taxpayer priorities including lowering appraisal caps, building off the success of last session, I will work for continued improvement of disaster response and preparedness, while reviewing the proper role of government during that response. As chairman of [the] Senate [Committee on] Higher Education, I'm working to improve the path for people seeking career and tech training, and finding more cost-efficient credentialing and degree plans to help people get back to work and prepared for a 21st century economy.

It is also my intention to pass a balanced state budget with no tax increases as we find ways to cut the size of government and operate lean as Texas families have been required to do during this downturn.

JS: Public education funding, property tax relief, health care and flooding are the top challenges and in order to address them I intend to close loopholes in our tax laws that give billions of dollars in relief to corporations on the backs of Texans to ensure long-term appropriate funding for [public education] and help reduce property tax burden, author/support Medicaid expansion and start discussions on land use and enforcing responsible development to address flooding.

JS: Struggling small businesses, job loss, money and food insecurity has had major effects on District 4 and the state government should be communicating a consistent message of how we get past the shutdowns and restrictions and outline the milestones we need to achieve to reach that point based on science and data from public health professionals. We all need to work together in order to have a faster recovery.

JS: My career has taught me that listening and learning can never stop, public service is about the people in this district and not me and District 4 deserves a senator that will work hard every day for legislation that creates the greatest benefit for the residents of District 4 regardless of the political repercussions. I am running to serve the people in District 4 and not big business and special interests.

JS: Most important is Medicaid expansion. Texas is one of only 13 states that has not expanded Medicaid and we must remove politics from people’s health and work to make health care accessible and affordable. Second, I am going to support and fight for closing tax loopholes in our state, to ensure that corporations pay their fair share and ensure we have long-term public education funding from the state level to lower the tax burden on Texans.

CB: It’s a simple loss of freedom. Gov. Abbott is destroying people’s lives with the closures of businesses and a mask mandate that places fear into citizens. A recession is when your neighbor loses their job. A depression is when you lose your job. Many people are experiencing a depression which could easily be avoided. I move to recall Gov. Abbott which Brandon Creighton has failed to do.

CB: The state government has a small role, if any role at all, in the local recovery. What is best for Austin isn’t what’s best for Winnie, Anahuac or Humble. The people know what’s best and we should empower the people. The shutdown and the mask mandate are unconstitutional. My goal is to legalize success. We should eliminate property taxes and allow the free market to regulate itself. More entrepreneurs please! More ideas please!

CB: The reason I want to be elected is to leave the citizens alone. It is my intention to empower people. Let’s legalize success! Why does Mattress Mack have to go across state line to protect his investment of the “Win it all! Get it all!” promotion? Our state lost $20 million because sportsbooks and gambling are illegal. [Senate District] 4 takes a massive hit every time Houstonians cross the border to gamble. Legalize success!

CB: The number one bill I want to create is ending sovereign immunity. We have legalized slavery in the state of Texas. Texas Tech [University] owes Mike Leach millions of dollars. Kirby Hocutt has hired multiple coaches who he had to cut loose because of abuse. Why is Hocutt still around? I want to legalize gambling, especially sportsbooks in the state of Texas. You should be able to do with your money what you decide is best.