Sunday, August 1, 2010

Below is a set of questions that were presented to Mr. Uresti and myself during the primary by Grassroots El Paso. This is how we answered the questions... "take time to read them". Our answers show the vast difference in our political philosophies. I hope after reading them that you will decide that I am the best candidate and support me.

                                               Dick Bowen

GRASSROOTS EL PASO QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Who did you vote for in the 2008 election and why?

Uresti: Barack Obama, his promise of change, his legislative agenda and his priorities for the American people, especially working families, were far superior to what the Republican ticket had to offer.

Bowen: I voted for John McCain. The problem I had with Obama was his association with the black radical revolutionaries and Reverend Wright.

2. Have you ever run a business, met a payroll? Are you still a business owner?

Uresti: Yes. I run a law firm in San Antonio with several employees.

Bowen: Yes, I have owned and run several business ventures, met payroll every month and still continue to do so.

3. Do you believe Texas Property Taxes are too high?

Uresti: Texas' property taxes have steadily risen over the years as the state's share of public education funding has declined. They are high, but government has no responsibility greater than the education of our children. It is worth noting that many other states fund their schools with a personal income tax, something that Texas has avoided. It also worth noting that while Texans do shoulder a high property tax, the overall tax burden here per capita is well below that of many other states.

Bowen:  Yes and they are going to get worse if we do not rein in the many poorly managed fiefdoms in the school systems. Do you realize that EPISD has a separate police department with a police chief, office staff and police officers for a department total forty employees? Police Cruisers that were designed for heavy duty police work and high speed chases, cars with radar and canine units. The Socorro district also has an extensive police department.  The personnel are mostly retired police officers and sheriff’s deputies pulling down full retirement and full salary with overtime from the school districts.  The salary of most of them is in the seventy and eighty thousand dollar range. Ask a teacher how much he or she makes? See my discussion of the “Peter Principal” in my issues.

4. Are more taxes the answer to a balanced budget?

Uresti: Not necessarily. The people have a right to expect that government will search for other alternatives first, such as cutting wasteful spending, making agencies and programs more efficient and cost effective, and reevaluating our priorities when there are budget deficits. The state budget should be based on which programs and services are needed most. If shortfalls still exist, raising taxes should be the last resort.

Bowen: Sometimes it may be necessary to make up for the problems of inflation. Unfortunately, it is the easiest route to take for a politician that thinks the voters will forget or not give a damn. See my discussion of “toll roads” in the issues section that is attached. There I am advocating indexing gasoline taxes to inflation; but, I am also advocating a law or constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of gasoline taxes for balancing the general budget or for other transportation pipe dreams that politicians dream about.

5. How do you feel about term limits?

Uresti: I firmly believe that legislators' length of time in office should be determined by the voters.

Bowen: Absolutely necessary; but, have you noticed how people who are elected favoring term limits change their mind after they are elected. I guess being elected makes them realize how their wisdom and experience is too valuable to do without.

6. How do you feel about government control? Should we have more or less control?

Uresti: Beyond its fundamental duty of providing for public and higher education, infrastructure, public health and public safety, government should limit its control over industry and commerce in ways that protect the public's interest. For example, while we want industry to grow and thrive, there is a compelling public interest in protecting the environment. The recession from which the nation is just beginning to recover was spurred in large part by the failure of government to limit the risky business practices of banks and mortgage lenders. A free market is the cornerstone of our economy, but government must ensure that there is a level playing field for everyone, and that adequate protections are in place for consumers, particularly the elderly.

Bowen: Yes, some is necessary to protect the citizens from the greed and avarice of people who are looking after number one. We need to set up little Hoover commissions of retired volunteers at every level of government to study each and aspect of government. In Judson William’s mayoral term, he set up Citizens Advisory Commissions for every department and entity of city government. I served on the one for the Public Service Board; our advice saved the city millions of dollars by recommending that they contract out work that had been done in-house with bloated staffs and equipment. I suspect that they are back to the good old days again.

7. What strategies would you recommend developing that would provide long-term solutions needed to meet the increasing demand on our public education system?

Uresti: Public education must be viewed as nothing less than an investment in our society, and that means we must continue to make it a priority in the state budget. Teachers' salaries must be competitive with private sector jobs that require similar degrees, and school facilities should always be adequate to foster learning. We must develop a student accountability system that focuses on learning and thinking, not just testing. We must also find ways to get parents more involved with their children's education. Children must learn the valuation of education at home before they develop the desire to succeed at school.

Bowen: In the 1970’s the Texas Education Agency (TEA) issued a regulation that all Principals and Assistant Principals must have a either a Administration Management or Mid-management degree. Read my discussion of the “Peter Principal in public schools”. Major problems are the TEA and the State Board of Education; they cause educational problems with their uncontrolled regulations and advisories.

8. Infrastructure is a cornerstone to economic development. What steps would you take to ensure that El Paso has the necessary, adequate infrastructure to prepare for its growth and the imminent influx of troops due to BRAC?

Uresti: State government should provide the public policy framework for local transportation planning. For example, in the last session of the Legislature, several Texas cities supported a bill that would have allow local option elections on a variety of funding options. Unfortunately, the bill failed, but a version of it will likely surface in the next session. Local governments — and local voters — should be able to identify their transportation needs and decide on the best solutions. El Paso should also use the authority it has now, with voter approval, to sell bonds for infrastructure. And since so much of the city's growth is

being spurred by BRAC, officials should explore every possible option available for federal funding for transportation projects.

Bowen: I think the city has done a very good job so far. One of the problems is how to pay for the improvements that are needed. We are not a high income city and are limited in our ability to raise taxes since the school districts are wasting so much of our money. In my issues paper, under “Ghost Towns Texas”, I recommend a state issued bond program that will help small towns and cities be able to borrow money for their infrastructure and repay it based on their ability to repay. The problems of Socorro, Fabens, Sanderson, Marfa or Sierra Blanca are our problems. The problems of El Paso are their problems, as well. A state bond program that subsidizes poorer communities will benefit everyone.

9. Please offer your assessment of current levels of funding for CHIP and Medicaid. What suggestions do you have for improvement of these programs?

Uresti: Current CHIP funding is not adequate. Efforts in the last legislative session to increase CHIP funding failed, and I will support increased funding in the next session. Eligibility for both CHIP and Medicaid should be expanded. While there is a cost associated with this, it is not as high as the cost of treating children and the elderly at public health facilities for diseases and maladies that could have been prevented

Bowen: Hire more and better qualified employees to investigate the claims. One of the supervisors of a local office insists that over fifty percent of the claims are wholly or partially fraudulent. When they are turned down; the people know that if they appeal, it will be automatically approved. The agency does not have the resources or the personnel to investigate. Claim processors are instructed to approve the claims to save time if there is any question.

10. What mechanisms do you suggest to assist small businesses in the offering of employee health insurance? Do you believe the state has a role in reducing this encumbrance?

Uresti: Government should provide incentives for small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees. One way is to encourage and foster a system allowing small businesses to band together to purchase group plans. This would allow them to obtain the same affordable coverage available to governments or large corporations.

Bowen: A group insurance that has all age groups is the lowest cost health insurance. I believe the state could provide a low cost group policy that employers could buy into. Much of the cost is already being paid for in emergency rooms visits and health problems caused by poor early treatment.

11. Do you have a proposed solution to insure El Paso receives equitable and fair access to and distribution of state funds allocated for government-provided services?

Uresti: Situated on the high desert in the western-most corner of Texas, El Paso is renowned for its remoteness to the rest of the state and its closer proximity to several other state Capitols. The state budget process must ensure that UTEP receive its fair share of higher education dollars. And the same should be true for other government agencies and institutions that receive state funding. Location should have no role in the budgeting process, and I have and will fight to ensure that El Paso gets its fair share.

Bowen: Our elected representatives to the state legislature are the key. Eliminate straight party voting so that we get better qualified people elected.

12. What is your strategy for ensuring the success and growth of the Paul L. Foster Medical School in El Paso?

Uresti: The Foster Medical School is crucial to the future health and well being not only of El Paso but the entire region. I will work with other legislators from El Paso and West Texas to impress that importance on our colleagues, and, like UTEP, fight for its interests in the budget process.

Bowen: It may sound trite; but, it helps to have a state senator from El Paso in the District 19 seat. Who will look after El Paso better then someone from El Paso that has lived most of his life in El Paso.

13. Name one service program currently provided by our community, whether sponsored by a governmental entity or any other organization, that you view as ineffective. Explain your choice.

Uresti: Despite a large infusion of resources over the last few years, the state agency charged with protecting our children is still not as effective as it should be. The caseworkers and administrators at Child Protective Services are dedicated and hard-working, but they are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of cases they must deal with. The severity of many of these case and the emotional strain that comes with the job lead to high turnover rates among employees, which in turn leads to higher training and other personnel costs. This is true from El Paso to Dallas, from Dalhart to Brownsville. More must be done to prevent child abuse and neglect, and the statewide Blue Ribbon Task Force I created during the last session is trying to do just that. Systemic changes will also be needed within

CPS to enhance child abuse prevention and treatment programs, and state and local agencies, child advocates, nonprofit service agencies, law enforcement and the courts must work together in a more cooperative way if we are to significantly reduce the number of child abuse cases in Texas.

Bowen: School police departments. That job can better be done by either the sheriff’s department or the police department.

14. Name one service program that you view as critical to the growth of our community and will work on providing, if you are elected. Please elaborate.

Uresti: Nothing is more critical to the growth of El Paso, or any other city, than public education. More education means better jobs with higher pay. And an educated electorate makes more informed policy and political decisions about their communities and leaders. I will continue to make public education a top priority, both in the budget process and in the formulation of education policy.

Bowen: I, honestly, do not know of any service program that I see as being critically needed to ensure the growth of our community.

Note: Mr. Uresti and I apparently have different definitions of service programs; my defiinition covered the non-mandated independent service organizations that come looking for a state or local handout on an annual basis.