George Brian Vachris

Abortion should be allowed only to save the life of the mother.

Strongly Agree

I Agree, abortion providers should receive no money from taxpayers.

Strongly Disagree

I am opposed to assisted suicide and euthanasia.

I would promote bills like SB2 that would limit property tax increases for school district maintenance and operations to 5% per year without a vote to accept the tax increase. I would prefer a lower rollback rate, but that was the last Senate bill on this topic. I would like to see the State move toward a consumption-based tax system and away from a real property value-based tax system for educational operating expenses. This consumption revenue can be based on the current oil and gas sector production tax and by an increase in the sales tax (keeping current exemptions for food and etc.).

The Texas State Budget is already balanced with a significant surplus under a Republican Governor and Republican State Legislature. One way to reduce Government spending is to reduce State requirements that lead to administrative bloating and wasting of effort on providing paperwork metrics and reports.

Strongly Disagree

As a former teacher in a Public School, I believe that students will be more motivated to study if they have financial skin in the process. I paid my way through university night engineering courses by working in the daytime.

Strongly Disagree

I disagree, no government should force any person to violate their moral or religious beliefs.

The Government should never interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, in accordance with Article 1 section 6 of the Texas Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Churches should not be closed.

The choices given do not address the real problems with medical and health care costs. Regulatory interference in the health care system and the lack of transparent pricing is the primary cause of excessive health care cost. Organizations like “Group Purchasing Organizations” and “Pharmacy Benefit Managers” extract a huge percentage of the alleged savings that they negotiate for patients. Why can’t all non-emergency servicers be required to post prices up front and give patients an honest estimate of the costs for the proposed service. I have had to pay more than double the verbally stated estimate of costs for non-emergency services. This will allow patients to shop for medical treatment, just as they can shop for any other service. The provision of free-market competition, where possible, is the answer to the current state of governmental over-regulation that is the true cause of the rise in health care costs. SB-1137, a bi-partisan law that has addressed part of this need, may need additional changes to be fully effective. I will work with other legislators, hospital administrators, insurance executives, public health experts, and most importantly with medical doctors and other front-line providers to reduce the bureaucratic tangle and return to market-based solutions. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has so over-regulated the health care sector that a joint effort of the State and Federal Governments will be required to reduce costs. Health and Human Services is the largest expenditure area in the State Budget. This does not eliminate the programs listed in choice “C” above, but could reduce their costs with Federal changes.

While true vaccines have saved many lives, recent Governmental pronouncements have ignored the immunizing effects of natural immunity. Furthermore, experimental vaccines should never be required of any person. Religious objections should be respected. With respect to the Covid-19 crisis, I believe that all people laid off for refusal to be vaccinated should be re-instated.

The United States should maintain a strong military. This is a Federal issue, not a Texas State issue. However, border security is important to prevent the entrance of terrorists into Texas and the United States. Texas should enforce border security to the extent possible when the United States refuses to do so.

Strongly Disagree

I do not support this movement at all. Israel has a right to exist without threat from terrorism.

Strongly Agree

This is a Federal responsibility. The United States Secretary of Homeland Security has abandoned the law and refused to fulfill his responsibilities. He should be impeached.

As an engineer, I have to think about the real physical circumstances within the United States. The rate at which new immigrants can be received is partly a function of how fast we can increase the housing supply, increase food production, increase available jobs and schools, etc. Unrestricted immigration would lead to immigrants sleeping in the streets as is now occurring in El Paso, Texas. Therefore, there must be a numerical cap on immigration. Additionally, since more people want to come to the United States than we have room for, we should screen all applicants and give preference to those who have skills, trades, or professional expertise in areas where there is a current shortage of workers. Of course, all immigrants should be screened for criminal history, disease, or other problems. Immigrants who have immediate family members currently in the United States legally should be given some preference for entrance.

Strongly Agree

I agree that if all adhered to the Ten Commandments, then crime would be reduced. There are similar admonitions in many other religions. Our form of limited Government requires basic morality to survive. As Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”

Strongly Disagree

All people are born either with “XX” (female) or “XY” (male) chromosomes in every cell of their bodies. Neither wishful thinking nor surgical excision can change basic biological facts. Therefore, I am against adding gender identity as a specially protected class.

Strongly Disagree

My first degree was in history, and it is my understanding that slavery and the slave trade existed in all countries around the world in the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, no slaves cleared the trees or plowed the fields in most parts of the Northern United States. The beauty of the Declaration of Independence is its bold statement that “all men are created equal”. Many of the founders (including George Washington) freed their slaves, either during their lives or in their wills upon death.

Although I am a Christian, I should really demur to this question. Article 1, section 6 of the Texas Constitution states that “No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State” I believe that my answers to the questions give a good exposition of the principles, beliefs, and values that I adhere to.

Strongly Disagree

This is absurd. The idea that Texas is discriminatory when Connecticut required a photo identification should clarify the matter. People need photo identification for many activities besides voting. The State of Texas will provide FREE photo identification upon request.

The State of Texas already has broader voting laws than many states. Voting should be done in person to the maximum extent possible. As a former counter and re-counter of ballots after elections, I can absolutely state that in my experience, all miscounts occurred with mail-in ballots. I would prefer to see one day of voting as a national holiday with extended hours for that single day, so that essential workers could get to vote. Early voting should be minimized. All polling places should have at least two members of each major political party present to serve as polling place workers. All polling places should permit poll watchers who can be appointed by any candidate to observe for errors or fraud. Central counting must include members of each political party to examine the counting of votes. Texas has enacted many, but not all, of these provisions.

The promotion of racism by those who seek to categorize and divide Americans is a threat to the domestic security of the United States. I don’t believe in races. I believe we are all one human race. However, in my experience within a multi-ethnic extended family and living in a multi-ethnic neighborhood, and teaching in a multi-ethnic school, I will state that the former racial divisions that existed 100 years ago, have largely ceased to exist. We are all Americans and should all work together toward our common goals of equal opportunity for all.

Strongly Disagree

The idea of reparations is absurd! Reparations for what? I assume that this refers to the payment of some financial benefit to the descendants of former slaves. Who pays? Article 1 Section 16 of the Texas Constitution and Article 1 Section 9 of the United States Constitution prohibit the enacting of a “Bill of Attainder”. A bill of attainder inflicts a penalty upon a group (or a descendant) regardless of their participation in a crime. Reparations are unconstitutional. Not enough space to ans.

My answer is closer to “A”. One key issue is that we Americans have already lost huge chunks of our Industrial base. This has caused supply chain problems. It was the Federal bureaucracy that bore significant responsibility for these problems. They shut down the Pipeline that would bring heavy crude from Canada to the United States, raising the price of Diesel fuel and everything carried by rail or truck. It was the Federal bureaucracy that gave tax credits to windmills, causing an over-reliance on wind power that locked out when freezing rain froze on turbine blades, a significant cause of the winter storm power outage. It was the Federal bureaucracy that shut down a baby formula plant that led to a shortage of baby formula. The largest Aluminum mill in the United States in Milam County, Texas has been shut down. As a licensed engineer, I can address these and related infrastructure issues. It is the Democratic Party elected officials who have empowered the bureaucracy.

Strongly Agree

Hydraulic fracking has led to the cleanest air in my lifetime by increasing the supply and reducing the cost of clean burning natural gas. Hydraulic fracking is the technique that led to American energy independence under President Trump. The Biden administration has reversed course by shutting down permits for drilling, for pipelines, and for offshore production.

The purpose of government is well stated in the Declaration of Independence. To quote Article 1 Section 2 of the Texas Constitution, “All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit.”

Conservative

I am guided by the Constitution and existing laws and will seek to reduce obsolete laws, and increase personal freedom and liberty. Although, I don’t like labels, I could be categorized as a conservative.

If you read my responses, you may consider it as your source.

NO!

My legislate priorities include: Securing the Border, Keeping and Growing Texas jobs, Reducing Crime and funding Law Enforcement, Reducing Property taxes, Protecting and defending all Constitutional Rights including the First and Second Amendments, promoting school choice, returning education to the teaching of the basics (reading, writing, mathematics) and eliminating the “WOKE” agenda from our schools.

Strongly Agree

I support qualified immunity for police officers.

Strongly Disagree

No! Finds should be kept with police departments. A problem not addressed in this questionnaire is the breakdown of the family, absent fathers, and unwed motherhood. If fathers are present in the home, and moral standards are enforced, crime will be reduced. I taught many students in Houston who had no father at home, and although I could try to be a role model for them, it is no substitute for the lack of a father.

No additional restrictions should be placed on any constitutional rights. I have received an “A” Questionnaire rating from NRA.

Strongly Disagree

NO!, In that case the victim of a murder by Hammer would be able to sue the tool maker! This is a crazy idea designed to disarm America.