Travis Precinct 211

As a follow-up to Back Story on SBOE Place 10
I am pleased to join the Texas Republican Assembly in endorsing Brian Russell for the State Board of Education place 10. Brian has a keen understanding of Education policy, a history of leadership for Republican causes, and the skill to write good policy. It is not enough to be able to vote for good policy. If Republicans are going to lead, we need people who can write good policy that is worth voting for. Brian Russell provides that ability with documented experience.

The Texas Railroad Commission is the State Agency with the least-useful name. In reality, the Railroad Commission has nothing to do with railroads. It has everything to do with oil, gas, coal, and uranium mining in Texas. In essence, except for electricity, it is the commission that most deals with energy policy. In a recent gubernatorial debate, it was suggested that the elected Railroad Commission be merged with the appointed Public Utility Commission to form a single entity with oversight of energy policy. I would heartily endorse such a move, as long as the commissioners remain elected instead of appointed.
There are three elected commissioners over the Railroad Commission, serving staggered terms. One position is up for election this year, and I am endorsing Victor Carrillo for Re-Election as Railroad Commissioner.
Victor Carrillo is the current Chair of the Texas Railroad Commission. He has had an exemplary record on the commission, fighting for sensible energy policies. He is also a man who shares our Republican values. As an example, he testified before the Travis County Health District board, asking them to discontinue the barbarous practice of using tax-payer funds for abortions against the conscience of many concerned citizens. On energy policy, he has fought against cap-and-tax and carbon-capture legislation.
The other two commissioners on the railroad commission are Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones. Both of them are expected to resign to run for the US Senate should Kay Bailey Hutchinson be so kind as to keep her promise to resign after the primary. As the purpose for staggered terms is to maintain continuity on the commission, I do not feel that this would be an appropriate time to replace a respected member.
Carrillo’s opponent, David Porter, is running in order to obtain a “bully pulpit” from which he can raise awareness of the dangers of cap-and-tax legislation. He does have some political experience, serving as a treasurer for various PACs associated with school-choice vouchers. But he is not really a known entity, where we can be certain of the direction that Victor Carrillo will continue to take the Railroad Commission during these turbulent times.