This is a Republican primary race. Do you promise, if elected, to abide by the RPT platform? And if not, please enumerate what problems you have.
I absolutely support the platform of the Republican Party of Texas which was created by the grassroots. As Land Commissioner, I will use the RPT Platform and its guiding principles to inform all of my decision making at the GLO.
What was your position on the prospects of removing the Alamo cenotaph and your involvment?
I have worked for years to protect the Cenotaph, the Alamo and to maintain its historical focus as the Shrine of Texas Independence. I have led the fight against liberals on the San Antonio City Council and in bureaucrats in Austin who wish to erase of modify its history and importance to Texas Austin, I have fought alongside modern-day Defenders of the Alamo and will continue to do so as Land Commissioner
*I gave key testimony before the Texas Historical Commission we are we identified that there was a deed restriction filed showing the land at the Cenotaph could not be used for anything except the Cenotaph. The Texas Attorney General and the City San Antonio general counsel signed it. As a result, the chair of the Texas historical Commission directed his staff to research the matter and asked me to please brief them privately regarding these documents. I had a private meeting with the executive director and with the chief Architect to provide this document which was not previously in their possession.
*I think we should consider creating a law that says if you desecrate a State Monument, we should make such an act a hate crime. Further, I believe we should actively find ways to get out of any agreements we have with the City of San Antonio and any private-public partnership that is not transparent. No other Republican in the race for Texas Land Commissioner is willing to buck the establishment. I not only reside in the Alamo City, but I am also the only one candidate who has a proven history of protecting and defending the Alamo.
I was not looking for job or campaigning for Land Commissioner. I was just doing my job alongside a few other Texans, who love the Alamo, understand its importance to our state and nation, and want to see its treasured history preserved for future generations.
As a new TGLO commissioner, what did/are the first two changes you made/envision making?
Day 1 Action:
1: Tell the United Nations to get out of the Alamo and permanently end the relationship with the organization known as the World Heritage Organization, which is a part of UNESCO, and part of the United Nations.
2: Return prayer to the Alamo, allowing the affiliated groups a once-a-year annual prayer service in the chapel.
3: I am the strongest proponent of building the wall and will take immediate action to facilitate the use of state-owned land for the purpose.
4: End the practice of allowing burial services on Alamo grounds of cremated loved ones whose ashes might inadvertently be co-mingled with that of the Defenders.
5: Request formal review of and an independent audit of all signed contracts related to the so-called “Reimagine the Alamo” program.
6: Initiate an audit of all GLO land sales for the last 10 years to determine if fraud by word or deed was committed against the citizens of Texas, including the identification of land sold or now owned by foreign countries with ulterior motives.
7: Initiate a forensic audit on the Texas veterans nursing homes under the General Land Office.
8: Notify the Biden Administration that the State of Texas will no longer allow GLO owned land to be subjected to restrictions caused by the Paris climate Accord or Kyoto agreement. This is part of my secure the grid initiative.
9: Initiate operation “Iron River” which will take formal action to require the Rio Grande be filled up to its proper levels with the goal of making them navigable vessel ports similar to the Panama Canal. This will exponentially impact the economy in the entire Rio Grande region thereby making it safer for all who live on the border.
10: Initiate review of Veterans Land Board (rates procedures), Veterans Cemeteries and other veterans’ programs operated and overseen by the GLO to ensure that they are effectively serving the veterans of our state.
What are the three main reasons you are running for this office? Do you see any potential conflicts of interest?
I have no conflicts of interest, I also refused campaign donations from a developer who recently bought a parcel of land from the General Land Office.
1: Qualifications to serve: I have been blessed to have the political and professional background to execute the job of Land Commissioner on day one. I will ensure that we generate revenue Texas-owned lands to fund children's education through the Permanent School fund, Permanent University fund, funds veterans’ benefits, and to fund disaster recovery after weather events like Hurricane Harvey, and beach reclamation projects and beyond.
2: I have been fighting for years to protect and defend the Alamo alongside a small group of Texans. We must protect our state’s sacred history and the monument which tell the story of that history. They are national treasures, and we must consider creating legislation that makes it a hate crime to deface or alter them.
3: I uniquely understand the wisdom of President Sam Houston in creating this position when Texas was a Republic. Not only can I do the traditional things previous Land commissioners have done but I also realize how I can use the office to play a key role in securing our state’s electrical grid, in securing our border, and providing economic benefits to our state. God has blessed me with solutions, and I intend on fully executing them.
Why have you chosen to run for Texas Land Commissioner rather than Texas Agriculture Commissioner or Texas Comptroller?
As a native son of the Alamo City, I understand better than most why the liberals in San Antonio in conjunction with people like George Soros want to stamp out the Alamo and the Spirit of Freedom and Independence it represents to people around the world. Even though I have been involved politically for decades and have a vast professional background, I was never aware at just how tailor made my resume and background to fulfill the duties of Land Commissioner. I will be prepared to step in on my first day in office and to serve the citizens of Texas and to be their last line of defense period in securing their freedoms and preserving our sacred traditions. As a Constitutional Conservative, I am prepared to stand up to all of our Texas elected officials and hold them accountable to our State and Federal Constitutions and to the “we the people.”
What differentiates you from your opponents?
I am the number one ranked conservative in this race as identified by IVoter Guide. I have the strongest professional and political background to execute the duties of the office on day one. I have already served as a Statewide commissioner. I have worked in the Land Development Home Building industry, I have a technical utility and infrastructure background, as well as a strong oil and gas background. Additionally, I have been endorsed by strong, principled conservative leaders in Texas and across the nation including Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller, Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona, National Conservative Leader Roger stone, Jonathan Saenz of Texas Values Action, and DFW salon owner Shelley Luther.
Please describe your experience in land management.
Professionally, I have leased over 300,000 acres across the state of Texas. I have dealt with landowners, operators, leasing agents, landmen, oil and gas executives, cattle ranching, and wildlife management. I currently have farm leases, grazing leases, hunting leases in Texas. I have also worked as a land developer for myself and external clients.
Please discuss the challenges the TGLO faces in dealing with the federal Bureau of Land Management and how you propose to meet those challenges.
Texas currently has no BLM lands. The GLO must maintain its strength by ensuring that all state borders and state lands are clearly defined. If we do not do that effectively, BLM will attempt to try to encroach upon the State of Texas. The GLO regulates surveyors across the state of Texas. Regulating state license holders is something I am familiar with as former Texas Real Estate Commissioner.
A perfect example of this is when the BLM encroached on North Texas a few years ago believing they had the authority to claim land along the Red River that had changed boundaries because of normal water flow. The BLM should have no authority or oversight of Texas land, whether public or private, and as Land Commissioner, I will steadfastly stand up against this type of federal overreach and abuse.
Please list any federal grant monies you would refuse because of federal "strings."
The answer to this question is much broader than the office of General Land office, I am aware the Congress is trying to insert language in funding bills for them now to allow the federal Government to increase their presence in our sovereign state. This includes the federal Government is trying to increase land space owned by the feds.
I think we must take seriously the strings that may be attached when it comes to accepting stimulus, cares act, or federal education dollars, and other sorts of funding. I think Texas would be far better off to withhold revenue we send to our federal government, because it never gets returned. Since we are a donor state, we never have it proportionately returned to Texas like it should be. We must do something different because, by not doing so, we are equipping liberal states to work against us.
What new initiatives should the TGLO undertake to ensure the preservation of Texas' family farms and ranches?
Having a professional and personal relationship with the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture will allow me to collaborate closely with him to protect farms and ranches. BLM really wants to make its way into Texas, and we must work as cooperating state agencies to stop this. Additionally, we must prohibit the sale of Texas land to foreign interests connected to countries who wish to do us harm.
Describe the proper role of TGLO in dealing with Texas water issues and list at least two specific initiatives you recommend.
This office has direct oversight when it comes to Texas land and those rivers which are navigable in Texas. However, the agency is also responsible for administering Texas beach watch program which is federally funded. In that program, samples are taken along the Texas shoreline and bacterial counted made available to the public at all times. This works in partnership with the adopted beach program. I have concern about the federal government abusing this data in some way shape or form and will never allow them to violate our state sovereignty.
There also is the Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network operated by the GLO in partnership with the Texas water Development Board. The GLO also works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Oceanic Administration. The GLO also heads the Legislatively created Coastal Coordination Advisory Committee. It is imperative that the next Texas Land Commissioner use all of these relationships to protect Texans and our state’s sovereignty.,
Overall, this question is another notable example highlighting what the constitution says is the direct role of the office/agency, compared to how a conservative leader can use the opportunity to strengthen our state, our economy and the rights of the people within it. As Texas Land commissioner I will wake up every day and fight to protect Texas owned lands, and, indirectly, for every small and large landowner across the state of Texas.
For example, my background in water development helps me understand that in most cases TCEQ and local water districts have authority over most groundwater. I personally knew and worked with Mr. Burl Day who was at the heart of the life-changing water rights decision and one of my personal attorneys worked on this case. The outcome of that landmark decision protected private property water ownership rights. As Texas Land Commissioner, anytime I fight for to protect state owned land, I will also be fighting to protect the private lands owned by the people of Texas.
Please comment on the TGLO's disaster relief response to the wildfires of 2011 & 2012, and hurricanes Ike(2008) and Harvey (2017)?
We can and will do better. I will use my infrastructure background to deal with events like this and provide greater resolution faster.
The wildfires were unparalleled, almost four million acres and almost six thousand structures were destroyed in less than a year. Several infrastructure problems were identified that hampered official response i.e.: a better radio tower to allow first responders to communicate. The GLO administers community development block grant disaster recovery funds from HUD on behalf of the State of Texas, some $36 Million in grants for fires and $3.1 Billion for hurricanes were issued. Anytime you are dealing with the federal government it never goes as fast as you need it to. We must become more secure as a state so that we can write the check when things like this happen so that the State of Texas is waiting on the feds, not the people of Texas. Under my administration of the GLO, we will work diligently to see this much needed change is implemented.
Please discuss the proper working relationship between the TGLO and FEMA and what changes can be made to improve relief efforts
For some perspective, almost 900,000 Texans applied for federal assistance.
The GLO is the lead agency on Housing in Texas, working with cities and Councils of Government. There are several initiatives that relate to direct housing program and the DALHR (DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR LIMITED HOME REPAIR. In a disaster, there are several federal agencies that the GLO works alongside including FEMA. I am the only candidate in this race with the professional background in land development, land use, home building, infrastructure, and development. God has blessed me with the training and experience, as well as my political and professional background to hit the ground running in working on these and other issues as Land Commissioner.
Please give your view of the relationship between the TGLO and the Texas Department of Agriculture and what improvements can be made in the working relationship between the two.
Fortunately, the Texas Commissioner of Agriculture has endorsed me for Land Commissioner, and we have a great working relationship. These two offices can help hold everyone who works under the Pink Dome accountable in many aspects. Seeking ways to protect private property rights and ensuring the federal government or state government does not encroach upon those rights is something that will require vigilance. For example, purchasing conservation easements is an option. This will allow protection of Texas land and will help us keep it all in the family! I assure you I am up to the task.
What should TGLO do to better protect or prepare Texas coastal regions against natural disasters?
This is not a one size fits all solution because we have over three hundred miles of Texas coastline. I will engage local stakeholders for input. Each of the coastal regions need to have specific storm risk mitigation plans combined with restoration projects for their unique area. Because of the offshore oil and gas fields owned by the State of Texas, we have some unique opportunities available to us that other states along the Gulf Coast do not. We must leave no stone unturned in searching for the solution.
What more can the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) do in support of Texas veterans?
First, is ordering a top-down audit on all Texas veterans nursing homes, where the death rate last year was double the national average. We must work to ensure programs connected to the Veterans Land Board are actually viable and competitive with private the marketplace.
Please describe your views on gambling as a funding source for education and other budget items, and whether gambling should be expanded or reduced. Why?
I do not believe gambling revenues are sustainable for the long-term. From what I have seen for every dollar generated from gambling, it costs two to $3 in government expense. One of several concerns is that if you approve gambling, how could you keep it isolated to an area like an old shopping mall. Therefore, since it seems to be an overall drag on the financial portfolio of taxpayers, and it might not provide sustainable returns, I do not believe we should expand gambling in Texas and, in fact, should look for ways to wean Texas off the need for unstable gambling revenues.
Why? Answered above.
Please describe your philosophy of public land management.
Growing up in the country my family lived off the land. You treated the land like it was your grandmother, and your little child.
To be a great land manager, you have to be able to steward the land without disrespecting it. You must have an absolute purpose for it. This land is more than an asset in a portfolio this land is Texas and if we care for it in the proper way, it will continue to provide for us and future generations of Texas.
