2018
LAKE HOUSTON AREA
ELECTION GUIDE
2018 ELECTION GUIDE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2: Todd Litton (D) BIO: Todd Litton is the former director of education non-profits who worked to expand pre-school education for all Harris County children and provide new opportunities to keep students engaged outside the classroom. He is a native Houstonian and independent Democrat running to work with both parties to solve problems. Todd met his wife Jennifer, a breast cancer doctor and researcher, at Duke University. They live in the Rice/Medical Center area with their three children, and are members of St. Anne Catholic Church. www.toddlitton.com
Dan Crenshaw (R) BIO: Dan Crenshaw was raised in a Houston energy family, living all over the world in his early years. From a young age he knew he wanted to be a U.S. Navy SEAL, a goal he achieved after graduating from Tufts University. Dan was injured on his third deployment, losing his right eye in an IED blast. He deployed twice more – back to the Middle East and then Korea - before being retired and pursuing a master’s degree at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Dan lives in Houston with his wife, Tara, and their two dogs.
Todd Litton (D)
2. What would be your specific solutions for helping businesses recover from natural disasters?
3. Businesses are telling us that providing insurance for their employees is crippling their ability to hire additional employees and stay competitive? What are your solutions for fixing this problem?
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2:
Dan Crenshaw (R)
1. Why are you running and what distinguishes you from your opponent?
I entered this race over one year ago because I believe Washington is broken. Both sides seem more intent on scoring cheap political points then getting anything done. Congress is not passing legislation or fulfilling its constitutional role as a check and balance on the president. We need a change. I’ve lived most of my life in Houston. We’re about getting things done. I’ve worked in investments, practiced law, and led nonprofit efforts. I will be an independent voice voting to represent the people of TX02, and not a rubber stamp vote for this, or any, president.
Approximately 40-60% of small businesses never re-open after a disaster. That’s far too many. With disasters increasing in number and severity, Congress should create a permanent disaster recovery fund that is accessible to small businesses immediately after a president declares a disaster. Businesses shouldn’t have to wait a month or more for Congress to act. Every day counts, and they should be able to access emergency loans immediately after a disaster is declared. I’d also expand national service and Senior Corps RSVP to provide services that help small businesses recover and develop and implement business continuity plans for future disasters.
The healthcare industry in the U.S. is over 17% of our GDP, and healthcare prices continue to rise significantly. In other developed nations its closer to 8-10% of GDP. We need to drive healthcare costs down for individuals, businesses and the government. President Trump actually ran on an idea I would be happy to work with him to pass. We should allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. U.S. citizens pay 60% more for prescription drugs than citizens of the other G-7 countries which allow their governments to negotiate drug prices. We need common sense solutions to reduce health costs.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2:
www.crenshawforcongress.com
I am running to continue serving my community, advocate for responsible governance, and support pro-growth policies that make our country stronger. I know what it means to lead, fight, and serve. Most of my adult life has been spent in service, and my preparation as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy SEALs, as a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Masters of Public Administration, and my experience as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill make me uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Texas’ Second Congressional District.
While recovery is crucial, I believe a large part of helping the business community comes from preparation and mitigation of future catastrophes. By investing in the infrastructure and projects necessary to address the results of flooding, we provide a greater sense of confidence and stability to the community, lessen the human and economic impact of future flooding events, and shorten the post disaster recovery period, allowing people, and businesses, to return to normalcy quicker.
The best way to address this issue is to get government out of mandating such requirements. We should detach insurance from employment and put doctors back in charge of healthcare. We do this by removing unnecessary regulations that are well-intentioned but end up suffocating the entire healthcare market. The economy is booming, and there are more available jobs than available workers. If businesses choose to provide health insurance as a part of their compensation package it provides them with a greater competitive advantage and attracts better employment candidates.
14 | Lake Houston Business Matters
O
ne of the primary goals of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce is to civically engage local community members and businesses with local, state and federal elections. The election for many local, state and federal officials takes place on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The chamber recently contacted the candidates for Congressional District 2, Harris County Judge and Harris County Commissioners for Precinct 2 and 4 to get their stance on issues important to businesses in our area. The Lake Houston Area Chamber Public Affairs Program committee selected three questions for the candidates. Each question had a 100-word limit, and answers have not been edited for content, grammar or spelling.
HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE: Ed Emmett (R) BIO: Ed Emmett is a native Texan and Harris County resident since 1966. He has been Harris County Judge since 2007. Emmett was a member of the Texas House of Representatives representing the Lake Houston area. In 1989, appointed by President George H. W. Bush to the Interstate Commerce Commission. He is a graduate of Rice University and has a Master’s from the University of Texas at Austin. Judge Emmett is chairman of the Conference of Urban Counties Policy Committee and Vice Chairman of Large Urban Counties Caucus. Married to Gwen for 43 years, 4 children, 13 grandchildren. www.edemmett.com
Lina Hidalgo (D) BIO: Lina Hidalgo was born in Colombia and immigrated to Harris County as a child. She is a product of public schools and graduated from Stanford University. Lina has dedicated her career to ensuring government works for people. She has worked in international development, helped low-income patients in our community access healthcare, and worked with governments and academics to design smarter criminal justice policies. In the 2018 primary, she earned 10,000 more votes than the 10-year incumbent. She is ahead in the polls. Lina is committed to serve as a County Judge that represents all of Harris County through proactive leadership.
2. Outside of the August 25 bond election, what can your office do to make our Lake Houston Area Community more resilient?
3. Once elected, what would you do to support transportation and infrastructure initiatives in the Lake Houston Area?
HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE:
Ed Emmett (R) Lina Hidalgo (D)
1. Why are you running and what distinguishes you from your opponent?
County Judge is more a job than a political office. I seek reelection because there is work to be done. As Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, I have developed an internationally recognized Office of Emergency Management. Voters just gave us the job of preventing future flooding. Working with legislators, I have developed a mental health jail diversion program that needs to be expanded. County finances are sound and transparent, but need continued conservative management. Rapid growth challenges Harris County in many ways, so experience working with city, state and federal officials is important.
Since Harvey, resilience is top priority. Beyond championing county bond projects, I have worked with the state and surrounding counties to develop regional approaches. Cooperating with the City of Houston and Corps of Engineers, we will focus continuously on Lake Houston and both forks of the San Jacinto River. Local development rules, building codes, state environmental regulations, and floodplain designations will be coordinated. As a participant in the Global Resilience Research Network, I will bring worldwide ideas and technology to Harris County and the Lake Houston area.
As former state representative for the Lake Houston area, I have a personal understanding of its needs. My family lived there and many friends and neighbors are still there. Working with county commissioners, I work to focus county resources in the area. As a member of the H-GAC Transportation Policy Council, I can influence the allocation of transportation funds for a fast growing area that is part city and part unincorporated. Strong working relationships with federal, state and local officials make me part of a team to address infrastructure needs for the Lake Houston area.
HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE:
www.linahidalgo.com
I’m running because I know we can do better than what we’ve seen in Harris County. I will be proactive, rather than reactive. It shouldn’t have taken a hurricane, three 500-year floods, and $100 billion in losses, to decide flood control was urgent. The County Judge is not a judge. They help control the budget for our county - the size of Colorado of population. I will ensure budgetary priorities align with the community’s priorities. Public transportation instead of paving over areas inside the floodplain, early childhood education instead of growing the juvenile detention center, flood control before it floods.
This office can and must lead proactively. I will: 1. Stop worsening the problem. I will adopt adequate drainage and planning regulations, direct our attorneys to enforce them, and update long-obsolete floodplain maps. 2. Take responsibility and proactively implement solutions - from a smart, coordinated evacuation and shelter plan for the event of a mass disaster, to coastal protection for our industry and funds for buyouts. 3. Be transparent with key information like which areas are in a flood zone, whether dams are at risk of catastrophic failure, and a clear vision for our flood future.
I believe the best decisions are made with the community. I will partner with community leaders and hold town halls outside of just election season, so we can - together- identify and work to fund the top priorities in the region. I will prioritize a state-of-the-art public transportation system, to put us in line with world-class communities. We lost the Amazon HQ bid because of a lack of public transit. I will ensure we are being smart in how Lake Conroe and Lake Houston water is managed to prevent property damage and loss of life.
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HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2 Jack Morman (R) BIO: I am a Deer Park native and graduate of Deer Park High School. After law school, I returned to Deer Park to practice until I was elected Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner in November 2010. Pct. 2 is my lifelong home. I met my beautiful wife, Andi, while attending Deer Park schools and we’re raising our two children in Shore Acres. My family has also owned a tire business in LaPorte for 35 years. So, from family to education to business, I am committed to Pct. 2. www.jackmormancampaign.com
Adrian Garcia (D)
Jack Morman (R) Adrian Garcia (D)
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2
BIO: I am running for because no one at the county is helping us — and we need someone on our side for a change. I’ve served as a police officer, city councilmember and sheriff. I’ve helped reduce crime, saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and helped small, local businesses thrive. My focus will be on education, jobs and healthy families. I’ll start by reinstating after-school programs cut by the current commissioner and promoting early childhood education. I’ll add job skills programs to prepare students and adults for good-paying jobs. And I’ll stand up to polluters to keep our families healthy. www.AdrianGarcia.com
1. Why are you running and what distinguishes you from your opponent?
2. Outside of the August 25 bond election, what can your office do to make our Lake Houston Area Community more resilient?
3. Once elected, what would you do to support transportation and infrastructure initiatives in the Lake Houston Area?
For almost 8 years it has been my privilege to represent the more than 1 million citizens in Pct. 2. During that time, I have worked to foster job creation and economic growth, and improve the quality of life for my constituents by maintaining and improving 50 parks; 17 community centers (which provide programs for thousands of residents) and over 1,300 miles of roads and bridges. Working together, I’m proud of what we’ve done so far and am looking forward to accomplishing even greater things in the future.
I voted to place the bond issue on the ballot and worked tirelessly to see that it was passed. Thanks to the voters, it was approved overwhelmingly and now we will have the resources we need to help fight flooding and protect our families and businesses. Helping to alleviate flooding is still the most important thing we can do to keep our community resilient. The voters said yes and now it’s time to go get the job done.
Since elected, I am proud to have completed several critical infrastructure projects in the Lake Houston area and am excited about ongoing projects and more improvements in the coming months and years. We all know that no community prospers without proper infrastructure and transportation so I will keep working hard to build, maintain and improve our roads, signals and intersections so that the Lake Houston area will continue to grow and thrive.
I have nearly 35 years of public service experience in a range of law enforcement, governance and legislation of the fourth largest city in America, and as an executive of the third largest Sheriff’s department in the country and largest in Texas. I believe in serving the public, especially individual communities and their residents. I enjoy representing the public in the give and take of public policy development. I’ve worked through a wide variety of government issues and developed skill in bringing together people with opposing views to find common ground, workable solutions and pass important legislation.
Add floodgates to Lake Houston dam. Advance responsible San Jacinto River dredging and detention basin projects. Protect remaining open space as greenways and parks for recreation and flood control. Explore using Golf Courses as flood control/ green areas. (Walden park). Partner with County Public Health and Built Environment Program for area Health Impact Assessment for social/health resilience. Re-establish Assistant Director of Safety Emergency Preparedness position Partner with Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department and ESD 46 to enhance community resilience. Partner with MUDs/water districts in Atascocita to improve drainage, roads and water conveyance. Advocate release Rainy Day Funds for recovery and resilience.
Coordinate with TXDOT on the FM 1960 expansion to improve County Roads connecting to 1960. Conduct a Traffic Study to assess congestion and possible improvements to the Atascocita Town Center interchange between Atascocita Road, FM 1960, and West Lake Houston Parkway. Improve roads and drainage in Atascocita. Provide support for road infrastructure (new and upgraded) to advance multimodal transportation across the Lake Houston communities to key transportation centers. Improve METRO park & ride service and explore opportunities for commuter rail.
16 | Lake Houston Business Matters
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4 R. Jack Cagle (R) BIO: I have spent over 30 years working with and serving my community. Before being elected your County Commissioner of Precinct 4, I served 11 years as the Judge of Harris County Civil Court-atLaw, No. 1. I also currently serve as a representative on the board of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and on the Board of Directors of the statewide Public Power Pool. I’m a graduate of Rice University with triple majors in economics, history, and managerial studies, as well as a graduate of Baylor Law School. www.commissionerjackcagle.com
Penny Shaw (D) BIO: Penny Shaw is a native Texan. Her father served in the U.S. Air Force & worked locally at IBM for 35 yrs. Penny herself is a mother of 4, a business owner, U.S. congressional advocate & Attorney of 18+ yrs. The Houston Chronicle endorsed Penny & she won by 75%. Penny wants to innovate & improve the administration of county business & to change the no-women panel of Commissioners. Penny cares about economic development & good jobs; reducing traffic; transparent & efficient spending; flood protection; environmental quality; strong & fair judicial & law enforcement systems; & robust community services.
R. Jack Cagle (R) Penny Shaw (D)
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4
votepennyshaw.com
1. Why are you running and what distinguishes you from your opponent?
2. Outside of the August 25 bond election, what can your office do to make our Lake Houston Area Community more resilient?
3. Once elected, what would you do to support transportation and infrastructure initiatives in the Lake Houston Area?
I have enjoyed serving the constituents of Harris County precinct 4 for the last six years, and look forward to serving them for four more. As your Commissioner, my office has started and completed many major road construction projects, much needed bridge construction and repair, as well as initiated Park renovations and additions. I have worked diligently with my counterparts on the Commissioners Court to make sure that Precinct 4 has the resources that it needs to maintain infrastructure, and make our community a safe place to live and work.
As your Commissioner, my office represents 1.2 million residents, manages a staff of 469 employees, and oversees a budget of $245 million. We do our best to be good stewards of your tax dollars and to provide services that truly enhance our communities. One way we achieve this is through the Precinct 4 Community Centers. From seasonal celebrations and festivals to special recognition ceremonies for volunteers and veterans, there is always something for our residents to be involved in. The Community Centers additionally offer year-round classes for people of all ages as well as summer programs for children.
I have always been an advocate of effective transportation and infrastructure projects in Precinct 4, and will continue to be so. Between my staff and I, we attend as many HOA meetings, neighborhood association meeting, and any other public forums as possible to keep a pulse on what the community needs and desires. We take the feedback we receive seriously, and represent those interests on the Court.
I am running to innovate and improve the administration of county business; to change the No-Women panel of Commissioners Court (to ensure that women continue to be included in Harris County Commissioners Court); and to serve and respond to the people and businesses of Harris County with cooperation, transparency and accountability. My background as a female Entrepreneur, public Attorney and Mother; my drive to build a strong and sustainable county-wide community based on public input; and my record of public service, including 25 years of advocacy and community service, locally and in Washington D.C., distinguish me from the opponent.
Work with LHA economic development planners to ensure local government concerted efforts to optimize resilience and growth, including future flood safety and prevention. Survey LHA business and residential communities to understand and provide, with experts, a comprehensive plan to protect investments and ensure future sustainable growth in the LH community. Account for surrounding watersheds that affect the LHA and invest in safeguards. Adopt comprehensive resiliency plans and commit to support such projects. Procure greater state and federal resources. Work with colleagues, partnerships, stakeholders, entities and nonprofits to ensure every measure of resilience and safety in tandem with LHA’s rapid growth.
Audit current projects, study projected growth models to determine priority expansion needs in the LHA. Most of the Harris County growth (over 60%) is taking place outside of Houston, and efficient mobility and infrastructure building must keep up with that demand. With the current growth in LHA in health, energy, retail, manufacturing, and education, solid infrastructure and transportation modalities are a necessary investment. As Commissioner, I will work with LHA economic development planners and experts to invest in safe and sustainable growth to keep LHA one of the most desirable areas in Harris County for new businesses and family living.
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