Print
E-mail
Comment
Jackson vs Jaworski in District 11
By NATALIE TORENTINOS
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article is a discussion with State Senator Mike Jackson and his opponent, Joe Jaworski. Jackson’s responses are printed first because he is the incumbent.)
Republican Sen. Mike Jackson is running for reelection in the State Senate District 11 race against Democratic challenger Joe Jaworski. District 11 encompasses parts of Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties.
Jackson was elected to the Senate in 1998, and served in the State House from 1989 to 1999. He chairs the Senate Nominations Committee and is a member of the Senate State Affairs, Government Organization and Natural Resources Committees and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources.
What are your top three priorities if reelected?
As State Senator for the past 10 years, I have fought to lower property taxes, voted against the new margins tax and have been working to find a permanent solution to our state’s windstorm insurance problems. In the future, my priorities are to pass at least a 5 percent cap on homeowner property appraisal increases, fight to save small businesses from paying the margins tax, and pass a windstorm insurance bill that favors homeowners over insurance companies.
What have been your most defining moments as a State Senator? In those moments, is there anything you would have done differently?
The Galveston Bay is one of the most important natural resources to our region and in 2001 I was proud to have passed legislation to make it one of only two estuary programs in our state. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is now charged with providing a comprehensive ecosystem management system for the bay. It is my defining moment because I know that my work on this issue will make certain this natural resource will provide our region a beautiful place to live, play and work for many years to come.
A hot-button issue has been public school funding. What do you think are some possible solutions to this crisis? Should we keep the property tax system or look into other options like an increased sales tax or state income tax?
I will continue to work on the school funding formulas and mechanisms until we install a plan to provide a quality education to every child in our state. I continue to believe that education issues are best decided at the local level by teachers and parents and believe the real crisis has been the slow move to make all decisions at the state level. I have worked tirelessly in the past to keep our property taxes low and do not support an increase in the sales tax or the passage of a state income tax.
Were you satisfied with the Hurricane Ike response? What lessons can be learned from this disaster regarding state level recovery efforts?
During Hurricane Ike, we saw an incredibly coordinated response at the federal, state and local level, but there are always lessons learned from any disaster. The Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security has already begun to study how we can improve that response and I will work closely with this committee during the next session to better prepare ourselves for the future.
How have you promoted bipartisanship in Austin? How will you continue to work across the aisle if reelected?
The wonderful part of working in the Texas Senate is that the rules that govern that body force us to work together with members from both sides of the aisle. Most of the issues which are discussed do not fall on party lines, but are often disagreements from different regions of the state. In my twenty years in the legislature, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats alike on countless issues. I will continue to do so when reelected.
The electorate within District 11 is very diverse and widespread throughout three counties, in both rural and urban areas – how do you attempt to meet the needs and interests of everyone?
I am not able to be in every place at all times so I rely heavily on my district and capitol staff to represent me at times. It is very important to have a seasoned and dedicated staff that cares enough to provide quality service to my constituents. I know that anyone who has had contact with them can tell you how hard they work.
JOE JAWORSKI
Candidates are fervently getting out the vote a week before Election Day, and Joe Jaworski, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 11, wasn’t about to let voters pass him by without giving a hearty salutation.
Jaworski asked for votes while handing out flyers at the Westside Event Center Monday morning, one of two early voting locations in Pearland.
“Early voting gives you a chance to see who is in fact voting,” he said. “Numbers look good for the Democrats and change. There are high, record-breaking numbers for turnout. I think Pearland is going to carry considerable weight in Brazoria County. You’ve got some strong candidates – it will cause a real contest where there hasn’t been for decades.”
Jaworski, who served three terms on Galveston City Council, is currently a partner in a maritime law firm and looking to unseat Republican incumbent Mike Jackson.
With District 11 encompassing portions of Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties, Jaworski said his first move as State Senator would be turning district offices into a hub of communication for state issues.
“You have to start off by hiring local talent – people who know the community. They ought to be elevated as a liaison between the state and local community. That’s the kind of breadth you have to bring to the office. You have to be mobile through personal communication or making a trip.”
Jaworski said the issues he plans to focus on include the environment, transportation and education.
“Public education deserves a better shake. It wouldn’t be too bold to say we should fund public education first and everything else later.
The current school funding formula does not incorporate cost of living adjustments for school districts, he said, as the cost of electricity, gas and insurance continues to climb.
“We have to find a new way to finance our schools. Why doesn’t the state be brave, and explain it to people? I don’t claim to be an economics expert, but I know experts will give us data so we can get the answer. I would like to see consensus built on something as easy as a personal calculator. Let people make their own choice.”
Another priority is supporting clean air initiatives, but he is quick to add a disclaimer - this would not come at the expense of jobs.
“The refineries are making good money and they can put a little bit of that profit into cleaning their emissions,” he said.
If sent to Austin, he wants to send a strong message advocating better public transportation for the area, namely rail. He supports a proposal by the Houston-Galveston Area Council for a rail system throughout Greater Houston.
“I was on HGAC when I served in Galveston City Council,” he said. “I support rail on 35, down the Highway 3 corridor and serving that whole Bay area. We should have done it 20 years ago, but we’ll just have to do it now. Think about the benefit it would bring environmentally, and it brings a sense of place.”
Besides his time with HGAC, he believes his work as a Galveston City Council member was the most valuable training for state office.
“It was nonpartisan. No one looked at your actions through a partisan lens. I can bring that non-predetermined attitude towards the Senate. Being on Council gave me empathy for taxpayers. We would routinely be burdened by things the State Legislature demanded. They would cut the cord on their level of responsibilities and pushed it to counties and cities.”
The ability to reach across the aisle will be his strength, he said.
“I will be who I am, an easy-to-get -along-with individual. I will simply be the kind man I’ve always been. I will take that to any profession or any application that I pursue. I will reach out, honor and respect all sides.”
In the meantime, Jaworski said the campaign trail offers its own challenges, rewards and life lessons.
“You learn to sleep less, eat less. You learn to be economical with your time – it’s the only way to be a family man and practice law. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, it’s the most focused I’ve ever been, but it’s the greatest challenge as well.”
Republican Sen. Mike Jackson is running for reelection in the State Senate District 11 race against Democratic challenger Joe Jaworski. District 11 encompasses parts of Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties.
Jackson was elected to the Senate in 1998, and served in the State House from 1989 to 1999. He chairs the Senate Nominations Committee and is a member of the Senate State Affairs, Government Organization and Natural Resources Committees and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Coastal Resources.
What are your top three priorities if reelected?
As State Senator for the past 10 years, I have fought to lower property taxes, voted against the new margins tax and have been working to find a permanent solution to our state’s windstorm insurance problems. In the future, my priorities are to pass at least a 5 percent cap on homeowner property appraisal increases, fight to save small businesses from paying the margins tax, and pass a windstorm insurance bill that favors homeowners over insurance companies.
What have been your most defining moments as a State Senator? In those moments, is there anything you would have done differently?
The Galveston Bay is one of the most important natural resources to our region and in 2001 I was proud to have passed legislation to make it one of only two estuary programs in our state. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is now charged with providing a comprehensive ecosystem management system for the bay. It is my defining moment because I know that my work on this issue will make certain this natural resource will provide our region a beautiful place to live, play and work for many years to come.
A hot-button issue has been public school funding. What do you think are some possible solutions to this crisis? Should we keep the property tax system or look into other options like an increased sales tax or state income tax?
I will continue to work on the school funding formulas and mechanisms until we install a plan to provide a quality education to every child in our state. I continue to believe that education issues are best decided at the local level by teachers and parents and believe the real crisis has been the slow move to make all decisions at the state level. I have worked tirelessly in the past to keep our property taxes low and do not support an increase in the sales tax or the passage of a state income tax.
Were you satisfied with the Hurricane Ike response? What lessons can be learned from this disaster regarding state level recovery efforts?
During Hurricane Ike, we saw an incredibly coordinated response at the federal, state and local level, but there are always lessons learned from any disaster. The Senate Committee on Transportation & Homeland Security has already begun to study how we can improve that response and I will work closely with this committee during the next session to better prepare ourselves for the future.
How have you promoted bipartisanship in Austin? How will you continue to work across the aisle if reelected?
The wonderful part of working in the Texas Senate is that the rules that govern that body force us to work together with members from both sides of the aisle. Most of the issues which are discussed do not fall on party lines, but are often disagreements from different regions of the state. In my twenty years in the legislature, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats alike on countless issues. I will continue to do so when reelected.
The electorate within District 11 is very diverse and widespread throughout three counties, in both rural and urban areas – how do you attempt to meet the needs and interests of everyone?
I am not able to be in every place at all times so I rely heavily on my district and capitol staff to represent me at times. It is very important to have a seasoned and dedicated staff that cares enough to provide quality service to my constituents. I know that anyone who has had contact with them can tell you how hard they work.
JOE JAWORSKI
Candidates are fervently getting out the vote a week before Election Day, and Joe Jaworski, Democratic candidate for State Senate District 11, wasn’t about to let voters pass him by without giving a hearty salutation.
Jaworski asked for votes while handing out flyers at the Westside Event Center Monday morning, one of two early voting locations in Pearland.
“Early voting gives you a chance to see who is in fact voting,” he said. “Numbers look good for the Democrats and change. There are high, record-breaking numbers for turnout. I think Pearland is going to carry considerable weight in Brazoria County. You’ve got some strong candidates – it will cause a real contest where there hasn’t been for decades.”
Jaworski, who served three terms on Galveston City Council, is currently a partner in a maritime law firm and looking to unseat Republican incumbent Mike Jackson.
With District 11 encompassing portions of Harris, Galveston and Brazoria Counties, Jaworski said his first move as State Senator would be turning district offices into a hub of communication for state issues.
“You have to start off by hiring local talent – people who know the community. They ought to be elevated as a liaison between the state and local community. That’s the kind of breadth you have to bring to the office. You have to be mobile through personal communication or making a trip.”
Jaworski said the issues he plans to focus on include the environment, transportation and education.
“Public education deserves a better shake. It wouldn’t be too bold to say we should fund public education first and everything else later.
The current school funding formula does not incorporate cost of living adjustments for school districts, he said, as the cost of electricity, gas and insurance continues to climb.
“We have to find a new way to finance our schools. Why doesn’t the state be brave, and explain it to people? I don’t claim to be an economics expert, but I know experts will give us data so we can get the answer. I would like to see consensus built on something as easy as a personal calculator. Let people make their own choice.”
Another priority is supporting clean air initiatives, but he is quick to add a disclaimer - this would not come at the expense of jobs.
“The refineries are making good money and they can put a little bit of that profit into cleaning their emissions,” he said.
If sent to Austin, he wants to send a strong message advocating better public transportation for the area, namely rail. He supports a proposal by the Houston-Galveston Area Council for a rail system throughout Greater Houston.
“I was on HGAC when I served in Galveston City Council,” he said. “I support rail on 35, down the Highway 3 corridor and serving that whole Bay area. We should have done it 20 years ago, but we’ll just have to do it now. Think about the benefit it would bring environmentally, and it brings a sense of place.”
Besides his time with HGAC, he believes his work as a Galveston City Council member was the most valuable training for state office.
“It was nonpartisan. No one looked at your actions through a partisan lens. I can bring that non-predetermined attitude towards the Senate. Being on Council gave me empathy for taxpayers. We would routinely be burdened by things the State Legislature demanded. They would cut the cord on their level of responsibilities and pushed it to counties and cities.”
The ability to reach across the aisle will be his strength, he said.
“I will be who I am, an easy-to-get -along-with individual. I will simply be the kind man I’ve always been. I will take that to any profession or any application that I pursue. I will reach out, honor and respect all sides.”
In the meantime, Jaworski said the campaign trail offers its own challenges, rewards and life lessons.
“You learn to sleep less, eat less. You learn to be economical with your time – it’s the only way to be a family man and practice law. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in my life, it’s the most focused I’ve ever been, but it’s the greatest challenge as well.”
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
