Steve Host - Republican Speaks: TAYLOR: How important is good leadership during times of crisis? HOST: Good leadership is vital at all times - during times of crisis and of prosperity. Effective leaders make decisions with integrity and character and are responsive to, as well as put, the needs of others above their own. They are driven by their will to serve and their ability to make a positive difference in our world. TAYLOR: Do you consider yourself to be a leader? If so, in what way? HOST: In order to be successful in the corporate world, as a small business owner, as a community leader and as a father, I have relied on skills associated with leaders, skills that have allowed me to achieve. Tenacity, hard work and a conviction to stand up for what is right are core values that I believe in and have used throughout my life. I will bring these character traits, along with my experience of owning three small businesses, to the constituents of District 27. TAYLOR: Other than yourself, who is the most effective leader you know alive today? HOST: Today's world is full of leaders from many different backgrounds, championing many important causes. My dad, Malcolm Host, is the leader that I most admire. He and my mother raised me in a family steeped in the tradition of community service. My mother was the consummate volunteer devoting hours of service to community organizations such as Volunteers in Public Schools, inner city Head Start Centers and the family's church. My father was a social worker, the Executive Director of Neighborhood Centers, Inc. and one of the founders of the National Head Start program which provides child development services to economically disadvantaged children and families. His vision helped create this important program that continues to help thousands of children each year. The Host family has always devoted time and support to their community and today, it is my goal to continue that legacy as I embark on what I believe is the most important opportunity to serve: Representative for Texas House District 27. TAYLOR: Why should Harris county-area voters choose you on Tuesday, November 4th? HOST: It is a privilege to serve as the Republican candidate for Texas House of Representatives District 27, and it is an honor that I take very seriously. It is my opportunity to personally stand up for our conservative values and beliefs, and I am committed to doing just that for the hard-working people of District 27. Our district deserves a representative who will stand up and give them a voice for conservative values that I, like my constituents, believe in and stand for. Values like protecting our border, ensuring economic and political freedom and respect for faith and family. I pledge to listen to the constituents in Texas House District 27 and represent them by providing responsive, responsible government in order to ensure a secure and bright future for all Texans. As a representative, I will bring these principals to the forefront by holding our legislature accountable. Accountability by fighting excessive spending, limiting taxation on families and small business owners, restoring local control over infrastructure issues such as roads, tolls and water and overall, stopping unnecessary legislation. I believe in conservative, compassionate leadership. Leadership that supports a balanced budget and invests our taxpayer's hard earned dollars where they need, and where our community, needs them most - in education, health care and security. As a representative, I will support education by increasing teacher's salaries, expanding vocational education opportunities and focusing on early childhood development programs key to ensuring a successful community. Investing in our children early on and providing them with the appropriate educational paths helps build strong communities with strong economies. Investing in children - our future work force - keeps children on the right path helping them to become productive citizens thereby strengthening our communities and lessening our burden on future correctional costs. Our children are an investment worth making and worth fighting for, and I am committed to passing legislation that will strengthen our economy and our future by providing multiple paths of success for our children from vocational opportunities to controlling the rising cost of college tuition. I will work diligently toward ensuring that all Texas children are protected - that they have access to quality, affordable health care and that they are safe from threats. I will support laws like Jessica's Law designed to protect our children from sex offenders and I work toward creating and supporting practical solutions for securing our borders and addressing immigration. I encourage all voters to participate in this election and to help us prepare for the future with by casting their votes for today's leaders with a vision for tomorrow. |
Dora Olivo (i) - Democrat Speaks: TAYLOR: How important is good leadership during times of crisis? STATE REP. OLIVO: Very important. But at any time, whether in crisis or calmer times, the most effective leaders are those who retain a spirit of selflessness and concern for the common good. TAYLOR: Do you consider yourself to be a leader? If so, in what way? STATE REP. OLIVO: My personal goals never included becoming “a leader”. My 34 years as both a community organizer and now as a State Representative are the realization of my goal to always do what is right and to fight for justice for all people. That commitment has moved me to lead efforts on many issues, not limited to but including, more effective participation in the electoral process for our communities; protecting voters' rights; opposing landfills in close proximity to neighborhoods; protecting our children from being warehoused in disciplinary schools; protecting property rights; overturning the unintended consequences of the TAKS testing of our students; and ensuring we challenge each child, from pre-kindergarten all the way through higher education, to achieve his or her fullest potential. TAYLOR: Other than yourself, who is the most effective leader you know alive today? STATE REP. OLIVO: We are blessed with innumerable leaders. These inspiring individuals may have a worldwide presence or they may be known primarily within their own town or community. They may be best known for their political, religious or civic responsibilities. Many of them are volunteers, leading vital projects throughout our communities. My life, and the world, has been changed by many of today's most effective leaders whose selfless commitment to humanity is seen and felt around the world, in Texas, or right where I live in Fort Bend County. TAYLOR: Why should Harris County-area voters choose you on Tuesday, November 4th? STATE REP. OLIVO: As a former school teacher, as an attorney, a community organizer, and as a mother and grandmother, I have fought to open the doors of government to serve the people and brought clear, proven results for my district and our state. Among other issues, I have fought to increase funding for our public schools; to stop the deregulation of college tuition; and to create more accessible and affordable health care for our families and children. I have fought for common sense solutions to minimize taxes to help our small business owners, and have held government accountable at all levels to protect our environment and guard the rights of the elderly and the disabled in our communities. I listen to my constituents and I am respected across party aisles to get things done. And I am proud to have the support of the teachers, environmental groups, labor, law enforcement, health care groups, realtors and many others. In these tough economic times, we need a proven leader who can fight for our families and small businesses and I bring that proven track record in the legislature. Over the years I have received calls from constituents asking for help with problems ranging from child support, business matters, prison transfers, school issues and many other concerns. I have always dedicated my office to help people find solutions and ensure that our government serves everyone fairly. I encourage all registered voters to vote so that together we can fight for a better tomorrow for our families and communities. |
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