Last Monday, with just a week left before early voting begins, Campaign for Houston took to the Houston television airwaves with a hard-hitting commercial against Houston's Proposition 1. This is one of the best political television spots I can remember seeing in recent memory and I recommend you go to www.CampaignForHouston.com to check it out if you haven't already seen it. If you like the spot and support the effort, you can make a donation while on their site.

The HERO ordinance is Proposition One (1), and Houstonians need to vote NO.

State of Texas Proposition No. 1

The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residential homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? With runaway property taxes in Texas homeowners deserve every break they can get.

State of Texas Proposition No. 2

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a residence homestead property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disable veteran who died before the law authorizing the current disabled veteran's residence homestead exemption took effect.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? Why Not? Ultimate sacrifice, we should do our part.

State of Texas Proposition No. 3

The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? State officials should live where they want. It's the 21st Century, the horse and buggy are no longer used.

State of Texas Proposition No. 4

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports teams charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? It's charity.

State of Texas Proposition No. 5

The constitutional amendment to authorized counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? Outsourcing is generally a good thing.

State of Texas Proposition No. 6

The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? Because the constitution shouldn't deal with this but it does.

State of Texas Proposition No. 7

The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for non-tolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.
TCR Recommendation. Yes. Why? We need all the money we can find to improve our deteriorating infrastructure.

At TCR, it is our policy to tell you why we endorse specific candidates. We have carefully examined all of the candidates(and issues) listed on the ballot. Using position stances, voting records (for incumbents) and electoral viability, TCR has provided a list of the best, most qualified conservative choice for the races listed. Please take a moment to review our endorsement explanations and please use our complete list of endorsements to vote for the most qualified conservative candidates and issues.

Houston Mayor - No Endorsement

This year marks the end of Mayor Annise Parker's third and final term on Houston City Council due to term limits. As expected, the race to succeed Parker has produced a crowded field, including several strong contenders, which will almost certainly lead to a runoff election. The odds-on favorites to make the runoff are State Representative Sylvester Turner, a liberal Democrat, and former Sheriff Adrian Garcia, a more moderate Democrat. That is not to say that there is not a path to the runoff for one of the conservatives in the race. The two conservatives — businessman and columnist Bill King and outgoing three term City Council Member Stephen Costello - are Republicans, though both have been careful to eschew the partisan label while aggressively courting the partisan voters. The wild card in the race is Ben Hall, another Democrat, who lost two years ago to Parker, and has pinned most of his electoral hopes to an anti-HERO (Proposition 1) position. Because there are several conservatives in contention, TCR has chosen to not endorse on the first round, but will most likely issue an endorsement in the runoff.

It is no secret that the City of Houston has a strong mayoral form of government. The mayor wields strong authority over city departments, the budget and the weekly City Council agenda, to which only the mayor can add agenda items. A mayor's vulnerability, however, is that he or she needs the votes to pass that agenda, which underscores the importance of electing conservatives to City Council. In addition to a conservative philosophy, TCR also likes a unique perspective from candidates who have expertise in certain areas that they can utilize as Council Members. This year's group of endorsed candidates exemplify that spirit and include a realtor, two educators, two pastors, three authors, three veterans of the HCC Board, military veterans (including a Green Beret), a pharmacist and a chiropractor. This eclectic and highly qualified group reaffirms TCR's belief that we have the right team to tackle the challenges our city faces. Now it's up to you to help elect them so that they can roll up their sleeves and go to work for all of us.

Houston City Council District A - Brenda Stardig

For District A, TCR recommends a vote to re-elect City Council Member Brenda Stardig to a third and final term. Stardig, a Realtor by profession, has been a solid conservative vote on the Council on issues such as HERO and the city budget and a vocal advocate for the disabled.

Houston City Council District C - Carl Jarvis

TCR gives a hearty endorsement to underdog Carl Jarvis who is taking on incumbent Ellen Cohen who sides frequently with Mayor Parker on many issues, including the ill-conceived Prop. 1, which Jarvis opposes. Jarvis is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and author of The United States of Dysfunction, a book that discusses the takeover of the government by career politicians.

Houston City Council District F - Kendall Baker

Reverend Kendall Baker represents another opportunity to defeat a close Parker ally in his race against incumbent Richard Nguyen. Baker is a solid conservative, a man of faith and will fit well in this ethnically diverse district.

Houston City Council District G - Sandie Mullins Moger

The hugely popular District G incumbent, Oliver Pennington, completes his third and final term this year due to term limits, which creates an open seat. Surprisingly, the contest in this affluent district has drawn only two candidates - HCC Trustee Sandie Mullins Moger and attorney Greg Travis who previously ran and lost in a different district. TCR gives an unequivocal nod to Sandie Mullins Moger because of her perfect candidate questionnaire score, superior grasp of the issues and a temperament ideally suited to the contact-intense position of district council member. TCR also likes the fact that Moger has taken a stronger stand against Houston Prop 1 compared to Travis' tepid opposition.

Houston City Council District H - Abel Davila

In addition to a career as a pharmacist, Abel Davila has served his community as a Houston Community College Trustee where he has consistently exercised his conservative values by raising the homestead exemption for seniors, voting for tax rollbacks and against tax increases. TCR believes that Davila's past conservative performance is a good indicator of how he will perform on City Council.

Houston City Council District I - Herlinda Garcia

In addition to being an outspoken opponent of Houston's Prop. 1, Herlinda Garcia has an extensive background in education with over three decades service as an elementary school principal and 14 years as a Trustee of the Houston Community College System. Garcia's experience will give a first-hand perspective on Houston City Council about a key issue facing our community.

Houston City Council District J - Manny Barrera

Manny Barrera is a 45 year resident of the city of Houston where he earned both his undergraduate and Law degrees (University of Houston). In addition to a 20-year career at HISD and 16 years as a hearing officer, Barrera is also an entrepreneur and active in his community as a current member and former president of the Braeburn Glen Civic Club.

Houston City Council At-Large Position 1 - Mike Knox

Mike Knox is a native Houstonian, a United States Air Force veteran and career law enforcement officer with the Houston Police Department. At HPD, Knox has become a gang expert who helped create the HPD's first gang unit and wrote a book on the subject entitled, Gangsta in the House; Understanding Gang Culture. Our city will benefit greatly with someone of Mike Knox's experience serving on City Council.

Houston City Council At-Large Position 2 - Willie Davis

Pastor Willie Davis is an impressive candidate for Houston City Council. This US Army veteran who volunteered during the Vietnam era and served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets) went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Political Science as well as a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Theology. In addition to his service as a senior pastor, Davis has impressive private sector experience at companies such as Brown & Root and Phillips 66.

Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 - Michael Kubosh

Michael Kubosh first earned notoriety before his election to City Council as the man who fought City Hall and won in his campaign to remove red light cameras in the City of Houston. Since his election, he has made a major impact at City Hall in his first term on Houston City Council. The scrappy incumbent has been a solid conservative vote and a thorn in the side of Mayor Parker on a variety of issues including HERO (Prop 1.), the budget and the City's ban on charitable feeding. TCR proudly recommends Michael Kubosh for a second term on Houston City Council, At-Large, Position 3.

Houston City Council At-Large Position 4 - Evelyn Husband Thompson

Evelyn Husband Thompson is the widow of Rick Husband who died commanding the Shuttle Columbia. Since her husband's death, Thompson has been a school teacher and an activist speaking on national stages including Fox News, CNN, the Billy Graham Crusades and twice at the Kennedy Space Center. Thompson is also the author of High Calling, The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband. While TCR does strongly recommend Thompson, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the strength of our second choice, Laurie Robinson, who is a strong and well-qualified candidate for City Council.

Houston City Council At-Large Position 5 - Dr. Jack Christie

Dr. Jack Christie is another unique perspective on Houston City Council representing that of the medical community. Christie's coordination and influence with the city's Human Resources Department has helped shift their focus from disease management to wellness promotion, which has taken the Health Benefits Fund Balance from being $18 million in the red to $43 million in the black, a $61 million swing in favor of the taxpayer. These are the kind of innovative solutions that we need to see if the City of Houston is to return to financial health. For his unique perspective, innovative thinking and conservative record, TCR gives a strong re-elect nod to Dr. Jack Christie.

Houston City Controller

The importance of electing a strong conservative for Houston City Controller cannot be stressed enough. This year voters have a wide field from which to choose and TCR has two recommendations for the city's chief financial officer — they are Bill Frazer and M.J. Khan, both of whom TCR has endorsed previously. Because of our previous support for both of these candidates, TCR recommends both and asks voters to choose from these two highly qualified candidates.

The questions on this page correlate to the question numbers on the scorecard. Correct answers are marked on this page. On the scorecard a correct answer is indicated with a "+" and incorrect responses indicated with a "-" symbol. Questions not answered by a candidate were graded as incorrect. Candidates who did not respond are listed as DNR and were given a grade of "F." Mayor and City Council candidates were all posed questions 1-18. Candidates for Controller were posed 13 of the first 18 questions + questions 19-24. Questions not applicable to a candidate are noted as "na".

1. Do you support capping residential property tax appraisals at a maximum 5% increase per year?
   
   
2. Do you support a requirement that the City not raise taxes without a supermajority of at least 60% of City Council?
   
   
3. Do you support establishing a "Grace" type commission to identify ways for the City to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, incompetence and operating efficiencies?
   
   
4. Do you support the consolidation of City functions with Harris County where practical?
   
   
5. Would you favor outsourcing Houston crime lab functions to the Harris County Crime Lab?
   
   
6. Do you support ending race and gender based affirmative action programs and replacing them with a need-based system?
   
   
7. Do you support the right of City Council members to add items to the City Council Agenda if approved by a majority of members?
   
   
8. Do you support adopting a defined contribution pension plan for all new municipal employees, including police and fire fighters?
   
   
9. Do you support continuing the so-called Sanctuary City policy under which HPD officers are prohibited from inquiring into a person's citizenship to determine if the person is in the country illegally?
   
   
10. Do you support the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance as passed by City Council?
    
    
11. Do you agree with the decision by the Texas Supreme Court requiring the City of Houston to place the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance on the November ballot?
    
    
12. Do you support the city's feeding ordinance banning the charitable feeding of the homeless without prior written consent from City Hall?
    
    
13. Do you support lifting the city revenue cap which limits the growth in city revenues to the combined rates of inflation and population growth?
    
    
14. Do you support changing HPD policy to require two officers in every patrol car?
    
    
15. Would you support the elimination or sunsetting of tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) in areas that are not economically disadvantaged?
    
    
16. Do you support zero-based budgeting, which would require city departments to justify their budgets on an annual basis?
    
    
17. Would you support a budget amendment requiring that all revenues above projected levels be used to pay down debt?
    
    
18. Do you support the right of ride-share companies to compete with existing taxi cab companies and, if so, will you advocate for regulation conducive to that purpose?