Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Texas House District 70

Why are you running for this position?

Because the voters deserve someone who will work hard for them, who will bring reasoned, common sense, mature, conservative approaches to solving problems, who will represent the views of the people in the district, and who has the background in technology, business, and law to be effective.

What are the biggest challenges facing this district?

Ever-increasing property taxes, enough energy and water to sustain growth, and affordability in housing, transportation, and health care.

What are your priorities for the future of Texas education?

To take existing funds and spend them wisely on (a) excellent fundamental education (reading, writing, thinking) and (b) the classroom. To provide full State funding for each student so as to be able to eliminate property taxes for homeowners.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other projects with concerns about rapid growth?

Data centers and similar projects need to be designed and built commensurate with (a) local zoning and development laws, (b) availability of surplus of water and energy (or project provides its own), and (c) control over noise and visual pollution.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

(a) elimination of property taxes for homeowners, (b) better control over government spending, (c) workforce development through quality education, (d) water and energy infrastructure development, and (e) encouragement of growth of private enterprise (quality jobs).

Why are you running for this position?

I’m running because I love the community that raised me, and believe public service should make people’s lives better. I’ve worked across the aisle to deliver results for HD70, and want to keep fighting for affordable communities, strong public schools, safer neighborhoods, and a Texas where every family can thrive.

What are the biggest challenges facing this district?

Affordability and rapid growth are putting pressure on families. We need property tax relief that doesn’t leave renters behind, lower homeowners insurance costs, strong infrastructure and fully funded public schools. We must also improve services for people with disabilities, especially children whose families face years-long waits for critical support.

What are your priorities for the future of Texas education?

Texas must fully fund public schools, reform recapture, increase teacher pay, protect TRS, and strengthen special education. Plano families send significant tax dollars away through recapture while our schools face difficult budget decisions. Our local dollars should better support our students, educators, and children with disabilities who need specialized services.

How will you balance the development of data centers and other large projects with constituent concerns about rapid growth?

I welcome innovation and economic development, but growth must work for the people already living here. Large projects should be transparent about water, electricity, infrastructure demands, and tax incentives. Residents deserve a voice, and taxpayers deserve a return on their investment without bearing the long-term costs of private development.

What projects are most important for the legislature to focus on for the future of Texas?

We need to tackle affordability, reform recapture, strengthen public schools, address homeowners insurance, invest in water, transportation and our electric grid, and find meaningful relief for renters. I also want Texas to dramatically improve services for people with disabilities, especially children and families navigating special education and state waiting lists.