Find out where the Democratic candidates stand on the
environment by following the links to their websites below. Candidates who
returned questionnaires have their answers printed below. If you represent a campaign
and want to update the information on this page, please email info @ texasenvironmentaldemocrats.org
with the new information.
- District Attorney
- County Attorney
- County Judge, 53rd District Court
- County Judge, 98th District Court
- County Judge, 126th District Court
- County Judge, 200th District Court
- County Judge, 345th District Court
- County Judge, 353rd District Court
- County Judge, 390th District Court
- County Judge, 427th District Court
- County Judge, County Court at Law No. 8
- County Commissioner, Precinct 1
- County Commissioner, Precinct 3
- Travis County Democratic Chair
- Tax Collector-Assessor
- Constable, Precinct 1
- Constable, Precinct 2
- Constable, Precinct 3
- Constable, Precinct 4
- Constable, Precinct 5
Federal Races
U.S. Senate Candidates:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Supports Closing SUV CAFE Loophole?
| Supports Raising CAFE Standards to 35 MPG?
| Supports Nationwide Policy of 20% Renewables?
| Supports Cutting Timber Industry Subsidies that Allow Clear Cutting?
| Supports Legislation to Broaden and Clarify EPA's Regulatory Powers Under Clean Water Act?
| Supports Reinstatement of "Polluter Pays" Superfund Mechanism?
| Supports National "Cap and Trade" or Carbon Tax to Limit CO2 Emissions?
| Supports Creating Additional Marine Reserves to Enable Fish Stocks to Recover?
| Supports Corn-Based Ethanol Subsidies Effective Means of Lowering Our Dependence on Foreign and Polluting Sources of Fuel?
| Supports Drilling in Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve?
| Supports New Nuclear Power Plants to Lower Dependence on Foreign and Polluting Sources of Fuel?
| Additional Priorities
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- Sierra Club
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Green Peace
- Union of Concerned Scientists
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| NO
| NO
| NO
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Significantly increase subsidies going to renewable energy companies to increase production and invest in infrastructure connecting these companies to power grids ready to deliver energy.
Oppose the I-69 Corridor proposed on environmental & economic grounds.
Remove the grandfather clauses protecting habitual polluters.
Support stronger protection of National / State Parks from private use & interference.
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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U.S. Congress, District 10:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Supports Closing SUV CAFE Loophole?
| Supports Raising CAFE Standards to 35 MPG?
| Supports Nationwide Policy of 20% Renewables?
| Supports Cutting Timber Industry Subsidies that Allow Clear Cutting?
| Supports Legislation to Broaden and Clarify EPA's Regulatory Powers Under Clean Water Act?
| Supports Reinstatement of "Polluter Pays" Superfund Mechanism?
| Supports National "Cap and Trade" or Carbon Tax to Limit CO2 Emissions?
| Supports Creating Additional Marine Reserves to Enable Fish Stocks to Recover?
| Supports Corn-Based Ethanol Subsidies Effective Means of Lowering Our Dependence on Foreign and Polluting Sources of Fuel?
| Supports Drilling in Alaskan National Wildlife Reserve?
| Supports New Nuclear Power Plants to Lower Dependence on Foreign and Polluting Sources of Fuel?
| Additional Priorities
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- Past Pres/VP/Treasurer, Washington County Wildlife Society
- Chair of Reg. 7 & Exec. Comm Member of Texas Wildlife Assoc.
- Current TED member
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| NO
| NO
| NO
| Incentives for water and energy conservation; abundant clean drinking water; regional planning for environmental issues; green-collar jobs; prudent waste disposal; intl environmental protection and cooperation; safe working environs and healthcare; higher CAFE standards; Patent license reform to meet national security and environ. protection; environ. ed. K-12 (LANDS-TWA).
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TED member
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES
| NO
| NO
| NO
| - I would push for energy independence, with less dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general
- I would push for clean energy sources, such as wind and solar
- I would get more funding for Travis County clean energy programs, such as plug-in hybrids
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U.S. Congress, District 25:
State Races
Texas Railroad Commissioner:
State Representative, District 46:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Will Seek Position on House Environmental Regulations Committee?
| Will Seek Position on House Committee on Regulated Industries?
| Commits to Ousting Tom Craddick as Speaker of the House?
| Supports Giving Counties More Power to Zone and Control Growth?
| Supports Giving TCEQ Broader Jurisdiction and Power?
| Supports "Cap and Trade" System to Limit Greenhouse Emmissions?
| Supports Raising the Current State Renewable Energy Goal from 10,00 MW to 15,000 MW by 2025?
| Supports Requirements that every State-owned vehicle be a plug-in Hybrid by 2010 subject to Availability Exceptions for Emergency and Large Vehicles?
| Supports a Change in Leadership of the House Environmental Regulations Committee Chaired by Dennis Bonnen?
| Supports Elimination/Modification of the "Rule of Capture"?
| Additional Priorities
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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- Commissioner, Austin Human Rights Commission (mandate includes environmental racism in East Austin)
| YES, I would be honored to serve on either Environmental Regulations or Regulated Industries. I am a pro-environment, pro-conservation Democrat. Quite frankly, our state needs more people like me on these 2 important committees instead of people who are put in place to enact the anti-environment, pro-polluter agenda of Tom Craddick and Rick Perry. While I would be honored to serve on either of these 2 committees, I would also enjoy working on committees that address public education, higher education, and health and human services.
| YES
| YES
| YES
| YES, I would support any legislation that institutes cap and trade in conjunction with auctioning off the credits where the proceeds of the auction were dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
| YES, I wouldnt stop at 15,000 MW, however. I would also support legislation with even more aggressive renewable energy goals. Texas should lead the nation in renewable energy generation. I also believe efficiency is the low-hanging fruit, and we can do more to increase energy efficiency. Austin Energy is leading the way in this area, and there is no reason why other utilities cant meet or exceed the ambitious goals Austin Energy has set forth.
| YES, I support this goal but need to carefully analyze the cost and any unintended consequences this requirement might cause. I do support reasonable initiatives that will increase the market for plug-in hybrid, and shifting state-owned vehicles to hybrids seems like a good first step. That being said, I would want to analyze a fiscal note for this initiative and determine if a 2010 deadline is doable. I think this sounds like an interesting idea and Id certainly be willing to learn more about it.
| YES
| I believe there are some extremely egregious problems with the rule of capture that the state needs to immediately address. I certainly dont want the people of East Austin to be dependent on some water baron in some other part of the state for their drinking water. Given the complexity of this issue, I do not believe a yes/no answer to this question is practical. We need to implement public policy that ensures our water supply is available, clean and safe. In order to do that effectively and fairly, I believe the rule of capture will have to be altered.
| There are a number of other environmental initiatives I support, including:
1) Increase renewable energy generation in Texas;
2) Capture more waste energy generated by refineries;
3) Boost efficiency in our state building codes;
4) Ban the construction of any new dirty coal plants;
5) Require any coal plants currently in the pipeline to have carbon capture availability;
6) Boost efficiency standards for appliances;
7) Adopt legislation that really gives the TCEQ some teeth so that the state agency responsible for protecting our environment can actually do what it is supposed to do rather than give cover to Tom Craddick, Rick Perry, and their pro-polluter friends;
8) In addition, Im open to considering other pro-environment initiatives that will make our air and water cleaner and safer.
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State Representative, District 47:
State Representative, District 48:
State Representative, District 50:
State Representative, District 51:
State Representative, District 52:
County Races
Travis County District Attorney:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Environmental Group Affiliations
| Past Experience Affecting Environmental Issues/Crimes
| Do You Believe Global Warming is Caused in Significant Part by Human Activities?
| Do you Believe in the Theories of Evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creationism?
| Additional Info
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| I have never belonged to an environmental group, but as an individual I have contacted my local representatives on issues ranging from the Tank Farms I to environmental issues where the communities of color have been disproportionately affected.
| I have personally presented cases to the Travis County Grand Jury where illegal dumping was alleged, but I have never been specifically assigned to a unit in the DAs office where I was charged with prosecuting environmental cases. I am a strong proponent of prosecuting cases where individuals or corporations engage in polluting our environment.
I believe that we individually should do our part to lessen the carbon footprint we put on the planet. I recycle, I am a natural gardener and I have replaced my light bulbs with energy saver bulbs.
| YES, without a doubt
| Evolution
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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| Sierra Club
Current Member, Texas Environmental Democrats
| In 1997, as Chief of the Specialized Crime Division of the Dallas County
District Attorneys Office, I prosecuted a case that resulted in what was at
that time the longest prison sentence issued in Texas in connection with an
environmental crime.
| Absolutely
| Evolution
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Travis County County Attorney:
Travis County Judge, 53rd District Court:
Travis County Judge, 98th District Court:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Environmental Group Affiliations
| Past Experience Affecting Environmental Issues/Crimes
| Do You Believe Global Warming is Caused in Significant Part by Human Activities?
| Do you Believe in the Theories of Evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creationism?
| Additional Info
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| For the past 25 years I have primarily devoted my professional and personal energy to improving the welfare of children, especially children who have been the victims of abuse and neglect. I have contributed money to the World Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace, and the Sierra Club.
| I have been a judge for eight years. My environmental experience has been largely personal: Recycling religiously, installing energy saving heating and cooling controls and low flow toilets in my home, watering my yard as little as possible (which is self-evident from its appearance), taking the bus -- and sometimes bicycling -- to and from work when possible, and teaching my son the importance of conservation and environmental awareness.
| YES, I think that is beyond dispute.
| I think that evolution is a matter of science, not belief, and that there is abundant scientific evidence supporting the theory of evolution. I think "intelligent design" and creationism are matters of belief, not science
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| I've given money to various environmental groups over the last two decades.
| I make a serious attempt to be environmentally conscious. My son and I recycle as much as we can and try to be less consuming in our habits. As a judge, I'll view environmental matters as a significant social issue giving such matters careful consideration.
| yes
| evolution
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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Travis County Judge, 126th District Court:
Travis County Judge, 200th District Court:
Travis County Judge, 345th District Court:
Travis County Judge, 353rd District Court:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Environmental Group Affiliations
| Past Experience Affecting Environmental Issues/Crimes
| Do You Believe Global Warming is Caused in Significant Part by Human Activities?
| Do you Believe in the Theories of Evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creationism?
| Additional Info
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| TED, Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, SOS, SBCA
| I have been a supporter of environmental causes in Austin for a long time. I have been a Sierra Club member since 1990, and I have been a regular contributor to Environmental Defense, SOS, and SBCA over the years.
| YES
| Evolution
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| Has not returned questionnaire
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Travis County Judge, 390th District Court:
Travis County Judge, 427th District Court:
Travis County Judge, County Court at Law No. 8:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Environmental Group Affiliations
| Past Experience Affecting Environmental Issues/Crimes
| Do You Believe Global Warming is Caused in Significant Part by Human Activities?
| Do you Believe in the Theories of Evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creationism?
| Additional Info
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| Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Sierra Club, contributor to Responsible Growth for Northcross, National Wildlife Foundation, Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center, contributor to Save Barton Springs, Audubon Society, contributor to Save Our Springs, Bag the Bags Coalition, as a young adult I did environmental clean up after the American Petrofina accident.
| One summer while in college I went back to Big Spring to drive trucks in the oil field. While there the American Petrofina Refinery suffered a huge explosion of a multi-thousand barrel oil storage tank, resulting in massive destruction of the physical plant and the spread of hydrocarbon materials over a wide area. I spent the rest of the summer helping to clean up the mess, both by operating recovery and containment machinery and by hand. This was my first professional experience with the EPA.
As a prosecutor with Travis County, I have filed and pursued cases involving dumping of trash, sludge, oil products and other environmentally hazardous materials on private and public property, as well as salvage yard cases where the proliferation of junked automobiles can cause lots of environmental problems.
After three decades of experience ranging from the oil fields to the courthouse, I firmly believe this world needs each and every person to do what they can to protect our environment.
| Absolutely
| Evolution
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| In the past I have contributed to the Nature Conservancy; my wife has been a member of the Sierra Club. I have supported and contributed to the SOS Alliance and Clean Water Action.
| Aside from the above, I can only say that I recycle aluminum, glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, and steel cans. I primarily drive a small, five-speed car with a 1.7 liter four-cylinder engine. I have seen and enjoyed Al Gores movie, An Inconvenient Truth, and seen Mayor Will Wynns presentation on it.
| yes
| I understand some of the controversy on political and religious matters relating to these theories and do not believe a one-word or -phrase answer adequately addresses these. Although I am a Christian, I do not take the creation story literally, and I believe we are called to be great stewards of all we are given, including the earth. I believe science has proven some elements of evolution and that intelligent design and creationism are questions of theology, not science. I am a strong environmentalist and conservationist.
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Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 1:
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 3:
| Candidate (Click to go to website)
| Environmental Group Affiliations
| Will You Push the Limits on the County's Authority to Regulate and Control Sprawl, or Rely on the Free Market and Other Regulatory Bodies?
| How will you Affect CAMPO's policy on Toll Roads? Are you in Favor of "system financing" Toll Roads?
| What Mass Transit Solutions would You Support?
| How Will YOu Help Preserve Open Space and Greenbelts?
| Do You Believe Global Warming is Caused in Significant Part by Human Activities?
| Do you Believe in the Theories of Evolution, Intelligent Design, or Creationism?
| Additional Info
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| I have and continue to support SOS, Hill County Alliance, Fix 290 and the many other organizations on issues for protecting the hill country and the county environments. I was against having the pipeline crossing underneath Barton Springs Rd and the Longhorn Pipeline being reactivated transporting liquid gasoline throughout Austin which included my neighborhood. I was also against the large development of the Bee Caves area on Highway 71which occurred recently. I am also opposed of the big development that will be occurring in far western Travis County of about 1,500 homes being built. Have supported and campaigned for the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, FIX290, Williamson Creek, greenbelts buffer zones, bike and ride trails and especially Democratic candidates who are environmental friendly.
I choose to stay independent of organizations due to two reasons. One I can not afford the membership dues and secondly and most importantly to stay independent so I can look from the outside in to be able to make clear and unbiased choices. This does mean I do not support them or the causes at hand.
I am the founder of the Southwest Austin Democrats (SWAD) and its current President (have been elected twice). I founded SWAD because no one was actively working SW Austin for the Democrat Party. Since we created SWAD the Democrats have defeated two seating Republicans. We won the seats of Pct. 3 Constable, Richard McCain and Justice of the Peace, Susan Steeg. This was done in back to back elections. I would like to believe that SWAD had a part in the elections of these two great Democrats not taking away from Richard and Susan who did a great job of working and convincing the voters of Pct. 3 that is area was not a Republican stronghold. I am working very hard for the Democratic Party so I will complete the Democratic circle in Precinct Three as its new Commissioner.
I am also the Pct. 358 Chair. I have been the precinct chair for about 14-16 years. I forgot the year I got elected. When I ran as pct. chair I ran against two other opponents that were on the ballot. I was a write-in candidate and defeated both of them. I am lifelong Democrat and strong supporter of the Democratic Party and its candidates, values and mission. A lot of you know me and know where I stand when it comes to the Democratic Party and the working people it represents. I am the true Democratic candidate for the office of Travis County Commissioner Precinct Three. One other note, I am proud to say that Precinct 358 is the only precinct in SW Austin that always votes solidly Democratic in the general elections. Thats because my wife Gloria and I work it very hard every election. Gloria is running to replace me as precinct chair to continue our work of maintaining Pct. 358 a solid Democratic precinct. We are a very loyal and dedicated Democratic family including our three grown children.
| Yes. Our current commissioners court hasnt made a serious attempt to test the laws to its limits. The people need to be represented to the maximum even if it means using tax dollars to represent them to the fullest through our court system. We also need to utilize our County Attorneys office to the fullest extend and ask for options from the State of Texas Attorney General.
I believe in the free market forces but when damage is being done to our most sensitive nature state environments because of unplanned growth and no vision then that when we need to step in. I strongly believe we need to support and seek additional county authority. Also we all know that we will not be able to completely stop growth, but we can at least try slowing it down and to work and partnering with the developers for responsible growth.
Our other regulatory bodies have failed to protect one of our most valuable assetsour environment. We have a great and supportive local state legislation team, but currently do not have the majority of the rest to state legislatures who support our local issues. We live here and we know when a threat is looming over the horizon in our own backyards. With that said, that gives us the responsibility to oversee and try to protect our environment using very tool at our disposal.
| First I will not be a yes sir CAMPO member. Over 80% of a Fix290 survey indicated that the taxpayers of Oak Hill area want a community, business and environmental friendly Parkway version instead of a monstrous concrete divide toll road. I have always supported the Parkway and will continue to do so as commissioner.
A solid No to the second question. I do not support toll roads because I see them as damaging to the environment, community and small local businesses and also taking tax dollars from our state coffers. Toll roads are not people friendly and are not designed favoring the character of the communities they are built through. They are design to move as much traffic with a goal of a bottom line. Roads have never been built before with a bottom line as the objective and they shouldnt be. That is the reason I have coined the phrase the RENT TO OWN COMMISSIONER of our current Precinct 3 Commissioner. We get a deposit from the toll owners and then we own the toll roads after 75-100 years later after the companies have made their billions from taxpayers.
| I have my reservations, but it is only fair we give our future Capitol Metro transit a chance when it goes on line. The majority of voters did approve it. Its working well in Houston and Dallas, but is it for Austin? That will be left for the jury to decide. I am in favor of community, small business and environmental friendly bridges and underpasses as one of our transit solution.
| I am in favor of Travis County completing the purchase of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. I am also in favor of county land trade-offs with land owners for open spaces. If the county does get more authority over land development, I am in favor of requiring large developers to having green belts, and hike and bike trails as part of their development plans.
| Yes
| Creationism
| I would like to see additional trees planted along our major thoroughfares such as Highways 290, 71, 183, 1826, 1431 and 35. I also would like to see any future development to have a further setback of building from the thoroughfares. For example like some of the office building along MoPac and 360. I am also in favor of enterprise zones for development clusters thus helping keep the rest of our environment in its natural state.
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| TED, The Nature Conservancy of Texas; Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve; Sierra Club, National Wildlife Association
| County Authority is one of the most important issues of my campaign. Texas is unique in that it does not grant authority to counties to plan for growth. As a result, our natural resources are often left unprotected and vulnerable to degradation and depletion - Lick Creek, Bee Creek and Hamilton Pool are perfect examples. In highly urbanizing counties like Travis, the unincorporated areas are faced with the same land-use issues as cities but lack the authority cities have to plan and manage for responsible growth. I will work to make the most effective use of existing county authority while advocate at the state level for more planning tools. Right now we are relying on free-market forces and regulatory bodies such as the TCEQ obviously this system isnt working. I have actively worked with the County to push the limits of both SB873 and the grandfathering legislation in order to gain more responsible control over sprawl. We are at a critical junction because we are running out of time to ensure that our environmental beauty and resources are preserved.
| First we must evaluate mobility plans to make sure we are not over-planning in some areas and under-planning in others. There are roads in my precinct such as Fitzhugh Road and Pace Bend Park Road that are designated in the 2030 plan as 4 lane divided highways. I will look for opportunities to downgrade road plans and designs to a more reasonable scale. The Y in Oak Hill has been the subject of much debate and legitimately so. CAMPO requested alternative road designs from TXDoT last year but to my knowledge those designs have never been completed as promised. Making sure the design is context-sensitive must precede the budgeting and financing process. Hamilton Pool Road where it winds through the Hill Country to Reimers, Hamilton Pool and West Cave Preserve is also a perfect example of this. CAMPO plans for a 4 lane divided highway all the way to the Blanco County line. I dont believe this is what the property owners along Hamilton Pool Road have in mind for their community, and I do not believe it supports the vision of growth of the majority. It is important that communities have a stake in decisions that impact their quality of life, investments, and their future and I will work to ensure that they do.
Second, we must look at finding funding sources and mechanisms for the immediate needs for safety improvements on our most dangerous roads such as Hwy 71, Hwy 290 and others. Some states use development impact fees to help pay for road improvements; Texas counties do not have this tool.
Third, we must face the reality that there is a very real transportation funding crisis in Texas and unfortunately, tolling appears to be the obvious path to get some of our most necessary roads built sooner rather than later. However, I do not support tolling existing roads, and we need to aggressively and creatively search for methods other than tolling for financing of future roads.
Regarding system financing, I think we need further study on the long-term effects of this option, as well as ensure that all the stakeholders are given a voice in this decision. Also, we must make a firm commitment to explore mass transit solutions before pursuing the system-financed toll road option. If system financing is considered as a solution for our transit needs, there must be mechanisms in place to ensure the equitable allocation of revenue obtained from tolls.
| One of the most interesting planning activities over at CAMPO is the regional growth concept they have introduced which considers the Envision Central Texas preferred growth scenario. Here, transportation needs are prioritized for high population/activity centers. Transportation solutions should consider ways to move more people, not necessarily just more cars. Texans love their cars, Im a Texan too. But times are changing and we cannot expect to ever build enough roads to truly ease congestion. I believe rail is a viable solution and hope we can begin to envision rail opportunities in Precinct 3. I also believe that we are going to have to be creative in our solutions and I will work to bring people together to search for what works best in our community.
| Voters demonstrated their commitment to parks and open spaces when they overwhelmingly approved $62 million in bonds for natural areas in 2005. I will bring the conservation community together to set goals for new open space priorities. Parks and preserves in SW Travis County not only add to health and quality of life for the people in our community, they significantly contribute to our property values. We have set aside some beautiful tracks in our precinct including the new Reimers Ranch Park; however development is far outpacing preservation. I will look for public/private partnership opportunities and call on the development community to set aside more natural areas. I will also strongly consider a new open space bond package for 2009 to give the voters another opportunity to set aside natural areas.
| Yes
| Evolution
| Lack of a Groundwater Conservation District
Water quality in our Creeks and Streams
Visual pollution from lights and billboards
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Travis County Democratic Party Chair
Travis County Tax Collector-Assessor:
Travis County Constable, Precinct 1:
- Willie Joe Madison
- Danny Thomas
- Janie Serna
Travis County Constable, Precinct 2:
Travis County Constable, Precinct 3:
Travis County Constable, Precinct 4:
Travis County Constable, Precinct 5:
Austin City Races
Austin City Council, Place 1:
Austin City Council, Place 3:
Austin City Council, Place 4:
Austin Community College Trustee:
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