2018 Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide

1 2018 LWVTC Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide rev1 1 2018 Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide league of women Voters of Tarrant County P. O. Box 100175, Fort Worth, TX 76185 817-348-VOTE Early Voting February 20 March 2, 2018 Election Day March 6, 2018 Polls open 7am to 7pm voter IDENTIFICATION: WHAT TO TAKE TO THE POLLS TEXAS REQUIRES MOST Voters TO SHOW PHOTO ID The seven forms of approved photo ID s are: (must not be expired more than 4 years; for Voters age 70 or older no limit on the expiration of the ID) 1. Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); 2. Texas personal identification card issued by DPS; 3. Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS; 4. Texas handgun license issued by DPS; 5. United States military identification card containing the person s photograph; 6. United States citizenship certificate containing the person s photograph; (Note: Does not expire.) 7. United States passport OPTIONS: Voters who do not have any of the approved photo IDs and who are on the official list of registered Voters may sign a simple form called a reasonable impediment declaration and vote a regular ballot if they present a: Valid voter registration certificate (card) Certified birth certificate (original) Current utility bill Bank statement Government check Paycheck Any other government document with the individual s name and address (original).

2 ID address does not have to match the voter registration address. YOUR voter REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ABOUT THIS Voters Guide This Voters Guide is funded and published by the league of women Voters of Texas Education Fund. For 99 years the league of women Voters has been helping Voters cast an informed vote when they go to the polls. LWV VISION STATEMENT: We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate. VOTING IN TEXAS PRIMARIES The upcoming Texas Primary is an extremely important Election in Texas! Voters in the Texas primaries and conventions choose who will run for office in the General Election . The Republican and Democratic Parties choose their candidates in a Primary Election . The Libertarian and Green Parties choose their candidates in party conventions. Texas has open primaries. That means that ALL Texas Voters can participate in one of these events. Voters who don t strongly identify with any political party can and should carefully consider the choices and participate in one of the primaries or conventions.

3 But you can only participate in one. Once a voter has voted in one party, that voter cannot participate in another party s Election or convention. The league encourages all registered Voters to participate in the Texas Primary Election and vote for the best candidates. Don t forget, voting in a Primary does not commit you to vote for a particular candidate in the general Election . The league of women Voters never supports or opposes candidates for office, or political parties, and any use of the league of women Voters name in campaign advertising or literature has not been authorized by the league . 2018 LWVTC Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide rev1 2 List of Races: Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector .. 3 Texas House, District 93 .. 4 Texas House, District 98 .. 6 Texas House, District 99 .. 7 House, District 6 .. 8 House, District 25 .. 13 State Senator, District 17 Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct No. 2 .. 18 District Judge, 233rd Judicial District.

4 20 Family District Judge, 322nd Judicial 21 Family District Judge, 323rd Judicial District .. 22 Family District Judge, 325th Judicial District .. 23 Judge, Tarrant County Probate Court No. 1 .. 23 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 3 .. 24 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 4 .. 25 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 5 .. 25 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 6 .. 26 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 7 .. 27 Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County Precinct No. 8 .. 27 District Judge, 342nd Judicial District .. 28 Judge, County Criminal Court-at-Law 28 District Clerk .. 29 2018 LWVTC Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide rev1 3 Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Description: The Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector is responsible for collecting property taxes on behalf of the county as well as several other entities, including municipalities and hospital, utility and school districts.

5 Additionally, the Tax Assessor-Collector processes vehicle registration and collects state-mandated fees for alcoholic beverage permits. Questions: Q: TAX COLLECTION: What changes, if any, are needed in tax collection processes in the county? Q: PROPERTY APPRAISALS: What changes are needed, if any, to ensure fairness and accuracy for all property appraisals? Q: OTHER ISSUES: What other issues do you believe will be most pressing for the county Tax Assessor and Collector, and how would you address Mike Snyder (R) Biographical Info: Party: Rep Phone: (817) 239-0025 Email: Website: Occupation: Managing Partner of One Degree Strategies, LLC Education: Southwest Missouri State University Experience: Investigative Reporter and Anchor for NBC-5 1980-2010. Chairman of the Airpower Foundation 2001-2013. Created and managed large scale philanthropy events like Sky Ball raising millions of dollars for families of deployed troops. Facebook: Twitter: Answers: TAX COLLECTION: We need to continue improvements in process and customer service by using Lean Six Sigma business philosophies in the Tax Assessor-Collector's office.

6 This approach will empower employees to find waste, improve process and save taxpayers money. PROPERTY APPRAISALS: I agree with Governor Abbott that the 5 appointed members of the Tarrant County Appraisal District should become elected officials to be held accountable by the taxpayers. I also support Senate Bill 2 that would lower the State Property Tax Rollback Rate to 4% and require mandatory rollback elections. This process would put the power to lower the property tax burden in the hands of the taxpayers, not 5 appointed members of an Appraisal District. OTHER ISSUES: I will not hold auto registrations hostage for unpaid Red Light Camera Ticket Fines. I propose a pilot program, in concert with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, to create kiosks for in-person auto registration renewals. Placing the kiosks in all 8 county court houses, as well as in selected automobile dealerships, will multiply the places tax payers can renew their auto registrations, eliminating long lines and lowering the administration and management costs for the county.

7 Rick Barnes (R) Biographical Info: Party: Rep Phone: (817) 788-5019 Email: Website: Occupation: Insurance Agent/Producer Education: Bachelors, Texas Tech University Masters, Texas Christian University Experience: Worked 15 years in higher education administration. Owned my own business for the past 25 years as a speaker/consultant and now in the insurance industry. Served in leadership capacity, including Chair of the Board with 14 non-profit organizations. Facebook: Twitter: Answers: TAX COLLECTION: I will ensure tax collection procedures will be accurate, efficient and customer friendly. We will provide streamline procedures for both online and in-person customer assistance. I will always be an advocate for the taxpayer. PROPERTY APPRAISALS: The Tax Assessor-Collector does not have a voting position on the Appraisal Board - I will work to change that. We will work hard to ensure that those appealing their appraisal receive a fair and honest response, including offering assistance where possible.

8 As an example, it is unfair to compare the appraisal of an existing property to a brand new house built around the corner with current construction costs. I will assist taxpayers in working with the appraisal process. OTHER ISSUES: We must lower property taxes. I will work to ensure the office is efficient and transparent. We must ensure the appraisal process is accurate for the taxing entities. I will review historic taxpayer exemptions on a regular schedule. I will maintain a current policy in that I will not restrict a car registration due to red-light camera fines from cities. I will be available through community activities. And I will always be a voice for the taxpayer, within the County and in Austin. 2018 LWVTC Primary Election Nonpartisan Voters Guide rev1 4 NO RESPONSE RECEIVED BY Print Deadline See For Any Later Responses Trasa Robertson Cobern (R) Biographical Info: Party: Rep Phone: (817) 230-4414 Email: Website: Occupation: Teacher and City Councilmember Education: President's Endowed Scholarship to Texas A&M University, cum laude with University and Foundation Honors, 1997; Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education, University of North Texas, 2012 Experience: As a stay at home mom for over a decade, I budgeted on only one salary and kept us within our budget and our means.

9 As a City Councilmember, I have dealt with budgets the size of corporations and have voted consistently to reduce property tax rates. Facebook: Twitter: Answers: TAX COLLECTION: The county does a good job, but I d like to fully explore the idea of kiosks for the DMV, not to replace jobs but to free up clerks for other work. People will still need the expertise and reassurance of a friendly face if things go wrong. PROPERTY APPRAISALS: The Tax Assessor-Collector (TAC) has little to do with the property appraisals; that s the Tarrant Appraisal District s job, and the TAC is a non-voting member. Instead, I d push for the TAC to be a voting member to truly represent the people. Also, with future software changes, I d strongly encourage what most corporations do, which is to run the old and new systems simultaneously to vet the new system. This would have saved a lot of problems in the appraisal process the past three years. OTHER ISSUES: Tarrant Co. taxpayers subsidize $400,000+/year in state vehicle registration payments.

10 The DMV treats all counties equally, hurting urban counties. I d meet with DMV head Whitney Brewster immediately to find a solution. Voters are so concerned about red light camera fines, they re petitioning to remove them. I d reassure Voters with the Wright policy (no registration delays for those fines). The TAC shouldn t be collecting civil fines, as no other civil judgments are collected by this agency. Wendy Burgess (R) ----------------------------- Texas House, District 93 Description: The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislatures, composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts. The Texas House of Representatives create and consider legislation and proposed constitutional amendments. All bills for raising revenue and appropriating funds for the operation of the Texas government must originate in the Texas House. Representatives are elected every two years. Questions: Q: EDUCATION: What changes, if any, should be made to public education and its funding in Texas?