Matt Schaefer

None. If a rare medical choice was faced where the life of the mother was truly at stake and only the mother or the baby could survive, that decision should be left to the mother and her family.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Property taxes should be dramatically reduced by using surplus sales tax revenues, and in some cases swapping property taxes for a sales tax on some transactions that do not incur sales tax now. The goal is the eventual elimination of property taxes in Texas. Under no circumstances should the overall tax burden increase.

An across the board percentage reduction to every budget item should be enacted. Reducing 1 or 2% from every program would result in large savings. State government spending should be no more than the percentage of population growth plus inflation.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

None.

The government's role in healthcare should be small. My mission is the health care choice you want, the affordability you need, and the quality you deserve. Government must not take over our healthcare system. Instead, let’s cut out expensive “middle-men” that stand between you and your doctors. Insurance and health care don’t have to be so costly. There are too many hands in the cookie jar taking out money before it ever gets to a doctor or pharmacy. Solutions to healthcare affordability and choice aren’t always easy, but we have to do better! There are many ways to tackle this problem. Expanding “direct primary care” financial arrangements where insurance companies are not required is one way. With a direct primary care model, money flows directly from patients to doctors eliminating costly overhead and red tape. Simplifying billing is another way to lower costs. Can you easily understand your health care invoices? Do you know how much an x-ray will cost before you get it? Me neither! Understanding clearly how much routine healthcare costs will help us find ways to save money and find better care. This will give consumers an incentive to think about cost when they seek basic medical services. We like the fact we can choose a laser eye surgeon based upon advertised cost and experience, so why don’t we do that for routine care? We should also expand the use of medical savings accounts.

People will make different decisions about the COVID vaccine. And it should be their decision. Never coercion. Never threats. Just let people decide for themselves. Generally speaking, I believe that vaccines should always be voluntary. The military and the medical field have required vaccinations for many years for valid reasons and people are aware of those requirements before they take those jobs. However, I do not believe someone who refuses the COVID vaccine should be separated from the military, or lose their job in the health care field. In schools, Texas law allows parents and students to opt out of vaccine requirements for reasons of conscience and I fully support that law. Medical and religious exemptions should always be accommodated.

I spent much of my career in the Navy combating Islamic radicals, including a tour in Afghanistan. Supporting religious freedom, western values, and democratic processes is a good approach to combating terrorism using "soft" power. The military and intelligence agencies should be given proper funding and resources so that the US can exert "hard" power when needed. Support for key allies such as Israel is also very important.

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Agree

People who will support American values, show allegiance to the United States, have demonstrated skills, and a have means to support themselves should be eligible for immigration. They must follow a legal process and wait for that process to be completed. Persons who are truly refugees who have met with extraordinary threats, or natural calamities should be considered for entrance for humanitarian reasons.

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

I am a Christian saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that God is holy and will judge my sin. I have repented of my sins, and I believe in Jesus as Lord. My faith is in Him. Jesus paid the price for my sin when He died on the cross. I believe Jesus rose from the grave, sits at the right hand of God the Father, and will return some day.

Strongly Disagree

It should be easy to vote, and hard to cheat. I strongly supported a new law in Texas which requires voter ID for mail-in ballots, bans “vote harvesting”, the practice of paying a person to gather and submit votes for a specific candidate or measure; eliminates the ability of public officials to distribute unsolicited ballots or applications to vote by mail; strengthens the offense of illegal voting; and criminalizes the intentional miscounting of votes and prohibits the unlawful altering of election procedures. The new law also ensures voting by mail is both simple and secure. It improves mail-in ballot integrity by requiring voters to provide certain identifying information on an application for a mail-in ballot, just as they would if they were voting in-person; bans the unlawful distribution of unsolicited applications to vote by mail; protects vulnerable, elderly and disabled voters by safeguarding their ability to vote by mail and receive assistance from a relative, caregiver or friend without facing improper pressure when voting; and ensures voters have the ability to correct mail-in ballot defects.

Racism is a problem anywhere it exists. However, I do not believe that racism is a top security concern in the US. I believe that the media and progressives have grossly inflated concerns about racism as a security threat in the US.

Strongly Disagree

Cleaner, safer, and healthier places to live should be the mission of every Texan. But the simple truth is that energy poverty = poverty. Environmental leadership means we can be good stewards of the earth, and let people prosper too! I believe in a basic set of rules that ensure the natural resources God has given us are protected and valued. Technology innovations continue to improve our ability to produce cleaner energy and keep our wildlife and water safe. The climate is changing and no doubt human activities are a factor, but how and why is not completely understood. Scientists tell us climate change is due to many causes over time including natural causes. We should find ways to ensure a healthy environment in years to come. However, I reject apocalyptic climate responses that are driven by extreme environmental groups that want to greatly expand government mandates. I believe that we should require a public cost-benefit analysis on any new energy or environmental regulation. Affordable, reliable energy ends poverty. That is why I support the responsible use of the oil and gas resources in Texas. Improving quality of life is linked to the availability of reliable, and affordable energy. Furthermore, America is a leader in clean air. Since 1970, the EPA reports that the U.S. has reduced the six key harmful pollutants by 77% - the cleanest on record - while growing our GDP, our population, miles traveled, and energy use. The U.S. also ranks #1 in the world for clean water.

Strongly Agree

Government exists first to protect the unalienable rights given to us by God. My basic philosophy when considering a new Texas law is this: will this law give people more freedom, or less freedom? If you want more freedom, let’s find a way! If the answer is less freedom, then the highest burden of proof is necessary to justify my vote. The new law must not only be constitutional, it must be so critical to our Texas way of life that it outweighs any loss of liberty. And when in doubt, err on the side of freedom.

Very Conservative

Based upon my voting record, I have been ranked as one of the most conservative members of the Texas House of Representatives by every major conservative organization in Texas.

No.

Let’s keep the Texas miracle going! Taxes should be low, and regulations should be light. Keeping more of your money is the way businesses and families prosper. Building a business isn’t easy, but the rewards are good for everyone. Careers and jobs come from growing businesses and new opportunities. Cutting red tape is one of my favorite subjects! I know what it’s like to run a small business and to worry about all the rules and regulations. You should be in control of your business, not the government in Austin. I believe government should play a small role by ensuring a clear set of rules, and then getting out of the way. Careers take off where freedom is great. So I believe government must allow people the freedom to take risks. Austin shouldn’t be the one to tell East Texans how to run their business. When people are free to choose, markets respond favorably, and businesses grow!

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Felons, persons who have committed violent crimes, and those persons who have been adjudicated by a court to be mentally incompetent should be restricted from possessing guns. Law abiding citizens should have the freedom to possess guns. A single mom in a tough situation needs to feel safe, and to protect herself and her children. Her right to self-defense is a God-given right as old as humanity itself. Government should not deny a law-abiding woman or man the ability to use a firearm for protection. The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized what Texans already know: the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms is an individual right protected by the Constitution which should not be infringed. As a veteran I have carried a weapon in service to my country in Afghanistan, and I proudly support our right to bear arms in Texas. I believe that if you can legally possess a gun, you should be able to legally carry that gun for your protection. Texans should have full constitutional rights to keep and bear arms, and I support legislation to make that a reality. Responsible Texans exercising their 2nd Amendment rights make Texas a safer and freer place to live. I will not back down in protecting your freedom!

Strongly Disagree