My positions on the issues

Education

Many of the public schools in Senate District 8 are exemplary, but as a state, Texas is in the middle of the pack. We can do better. I believe that Texas should lead the nation by adopting a free market throughout all levels of education. We need more charter and magnet schools. Better still, I would propose creating a voucher system allowing parents to decide where to send their children. I also support the elimination of the TAKS test.

Immigration

Immigration is one of the more complex issues because most of the policies are set at the federal level. In addition, most of the problems with immigration are not related to the immigrants themselves, but rather stem from the services that the government provides to them. As a Libertarian, I believe that most of these services should not be provided by the government at any level. That being said, we need to significantly increase the number of temporary worker visas that are available to allow these hardworking people a chance to earn a living and return easily to their homes and families.

Toll roads and the gas tax

In principle, I have no problems with allowing private companies to develop toll roads. However, I am drastically opposed to the government use of eminent domain to confiscate private property for the purposes of turning that property over to another private developer.

That said, I like county tollroad authorities. Though government, they have been designed with the right incentives to act with the efficiency of a private company. In fact, all monies collected by toll authorities in 2007 where distributed for highway purposes. This is unlike the gas tax and motor vehicle related fees where only 43 percent went for highway purposes and most of the rest of the money ends up in the state general fund.

Gas taxes are an inefficient method for taxing road use. They, therefore, should be eliminated. and replaced with a tax on vehicle miles. Technology is available today, that would better allow us to collect these types of revenues.

War on drugs

Governments at all levels have wasted billions of dollars fighting an unwinnable “war” on drugs. I believe each person has the right to put into their bodies any substance of their own choosing be it alcohol, marijuana or ecstasy. They are, however, completely responsible for their own actions while under the influence of any of these. Furthermore, they are solely responsible for the long-term effects these substances will have on their bodies. The “war” on drugs has created criminals out of too many otherwise peaceful people. In addition, it has extended police power to a level that is of concern for liberty loving people.

Healthcare

While this is a federal issue at the moment, I am in favor of any state effort to block the implementation of any national healthcare scheme through states rights actions in the courts.

Job creation

The greatest job engine is the freeing of entrepreneurs to create new and innovative products and services for their customers. I know. I assist people in doing this every day in my job. Without question, the best way to create more jobs is to lower taxes and remove regulations from companies thus allowing the free market to work as unencumbered as possible.