Illegal Immigration

I saw firsthand the direct link between illegal immigration and crime during my tenure as a Special Crimes Gang Prosecutor and then as a Judge.

Illegal immigration doesn’t just threaten our economy - illegal immigration is a fundamental affront to the safety of our families.

As your state senator, I will work hard to secure our border, outlaw sanctuary cities, direct state assistance to border law enforcement officials and deport criminals.

Economic Development & Lower Taxes

Texas is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other state in the country.

I have managed employees and have guarded state resources. I understand that higher taxes and over burdensome regulation slows job growth.

The Houston area has benefited from job growth even as the nation’s economy slows.

But we can do better! We must lower property taxes and support taxpayer-elected appraisal board members. If we have a budget surplus, some should be saved and the remaining surplus should be refunded to the taxpayers. We must reform or repeal altogether the recently added tax burden on our small businesses. I will not support the expansion of gambling. And I believe we need to limit government spending to no more than the rate of inflation plus the growth of the Texas population.

Protect Children & Families

Throughout my career, I witnessed the devastating effects of unsafe cities and neighborhoods. More available state resources should be directed to neighborhoods in this district to enhance safety measures. Child predators must be brought to justice and we need to continue to defend the sanctity of life.

Education

We need to continue to work toward providing our children the best public education system possible. More dollars should be directed to educate children rather than grow the education bureaucracy. Transparency and accountability needs to be enhanced.

Property Rights & Transportation

Our homeowners must be protected and their private property rights defended. Government land grabs must be fought.

I am opposed to foreign-owned toll roads.

Much of District 17 is forced to contend with evacuation issues that arise from tropical storms and hurricanes. More robust evacuation systems need to be studied and more efficient staged evacuations during emergency situations should be reviewed.