What are the three main attributes that make you the most qualified for this position?

My years in business and the Texas Legislature have prepared me to be an effective leader in the Railroad Commission. The role of a Railroad Commissioner isn’t to drill, it is to draft rules (or eliminate obsolete rules) and act as a semi-judicial body to hear disputes. Throughout my time in Austin, I looked for ways to cut back burdensome regulations on businesses and individuals in our state. I will take this philosophy with me to the Railroad Commission and fight back against rules that would have a negative impact on energy production. A large portion of the disputes that come before the commission have to do with balancing property rights with the needs of the energy industry. As a State Rep, I wasa staunch advocate for private property rights and used my position as President of the Texas Conservative Coalition to put a stop to the Trans Texas Corridor. Additionally my years spend on the Energy Committee and as Vice-Chairman of Regulated Industries has given me inside knowledge on the ins and outs of the industry and has allowed me to establish strong relationships with both people in the industry and people that regulate the industry. 

 

What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?

A)    To serve the State of Texas in an area in which I have experience and knowledge.
B)    To protect Texas energy production from federal overreach.
C)    To move Texas towards energy independence. 

What differentiates you from your opponents?

My experience is what differnciates me from my opponents. Not another candidate in this race has a record of fighting for private property rights or slashing regulations. I have done both and have personal relationships with the people involved in the process, meaning I will not be an intimidated newcomer. Moreso, I will be able to hit the ground running the day I am elected. 

What is the most important problem you see that needs to be addressed by the position your running for and what do you propose to solve it?

Continuing the work the current commissioners started this past Session of modernizing the IT system over at the Railroad Commission. Becauase things have gotten so outdated, we have gone from a point where it used to take 3-5 days to get a permit to now taking more than a month (costing producers billions each year). It costs our economy far too much not to have modernized equipment.

Civic, Political or union organization or individuals to whom you have contributed (five years):

Republican Party of Texas
GO-PAC
Erwin Cain for State Representative
Capital Commission 

List all individuals/groups you have represented or lobbied for before any governmental entity during the past five years.

None

How much efficiency (savings) to the taxpayer can you introduce into the RRC?

The thing that is different about the Railroad Commission from any other government agency is it is self-sufficient, meaning it is funded completely by the energy industry. Any taxes or fees I find within the commission that are unnecessary or redundant will be reduced or eliminated.

What are the best ways to fund government services and why?

Government services should be scaled back and returned to the community. Basic functions of government should be funded by consumption tax. If we are to have an income tax we need to move towards a flat tax or the fair tax. 

Do you support or oppose a Business Tax to reduce property taxes?

The property tax needs to be eliminated. I don’t know if creating another tax is the answer to the problem.

What's the biggest federal over reach issue for the position you're running for?

There are so many ways the Federal Government overreach effects the RRC and energy production in Texas, below are the two biggest ones:
1)    Abuse of the Endangered Species Act – Liberal activists groups like the Sierra Club lobby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to shut down oil and gas production by abusing the Endangered Species Act – Alizard in West Texas, a prairie chicken in the Pan Handle, minnows along the Brazos and now flowers in East Texas. 
2)    War on Coal – Right now the EPA is trying to shut down the use of coal for electricy production in Texas. If these new standards are implemented, we could end up with 80% electricity cost and lose thousands of jobs.

Do you support spousal benefits for same-sex partners of State employees?

Absolutely not. 

Please describe what you believe is the proper role for the state government in job creation and intervention in the economy.

The government doesn’t create jobs, hardworking Texans do. The best thing government can do to help job creation is to stay out of the way and allow for industry to regulate themselves. Additionally taxes should be as low as feasably possible to keep us competitive with other states that seek to win our industries. 

What side are you on in a clash between land owner and explorationists?

Land owners have a right to private property and as Railroad Commissioner I will fight to preserve that right.

How would you balance the use of existing energy sources with the development of alternate energy sources in Texas?

It is not the job of government to pick winners and losers. As the market increased for alternative energy sources and decreases for traditional, a balance will occur naturally. 

How can companies assure nearby residents that hydraulic fracturing is safe for their drinking water.

There has been little to no evidence that fracking effects ground water (liberal environmental groups such as the Sierra Club would like for people to believe otherwise though!). There is too much distance between where the fracking takes place and the aquifer for it to likely effect it at all. 

Are you active with any Tea Party or conservative grassroots organization? If so, list which, how long and what capacity? If not, what's your opinion of Tea Party groups here as to their effectiveness?

I am not currently involved in a particular group, per say but I have been involved with the Tea Party for many years. I was one of (if not the) first elected officials to speak at a Tea Party. I attended a couple of smaller ones before helping headline a larger on in 2009 in Austin. Also, for a number of years as President of the Texas Conservative Coalition I traveled to Tea Parties around the state educating voters on what was really going on at the Capitol down in Austin. I was also heavily involved with establishing the Legsiative Tea Party Caucus at the Capitol and fought hard with the Tea Party for Ken Paxton to be speaker during the 82nd Session. For the few months before my campaign I was also President of Saddle Up Texas but resigned to run for office. 

What RRC energy source are you most familiar with?

Oil, Natural Gas, Coal

What presidential candidate do you feel will best represent the USA and Texas?

~Not Answered Yet~