Biography

Name: Carlos “Charlie” Garza

Age: 47

Occupation: Assistant Principal, Desert Hills Elementary School

Residence: East Side

Relevant Experience: Retired U.S. Navy, Top Secret Control Officer with access to "Sensitive Compartmented Information,” Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) an official Secretary of the Navy representative - entrusted with honoring and taking care of the families of a service members who gave their lives for our country, Nominated to be the United States Under Secretary of Homeland Security, Liaison for the White House, The Secretary of the Navy, Office of Legislative Affairs, Aide to Senator Bill Frist/Tipper Gore, Nominated National Hispanic Image Award, National Hispanic Leadership Summit, National Who’s Who Among Teachers (4x), Best Student Role Model, National Deans List

Issues

1. What do you believe is the single largest priority for El Paso in the next legislative session?

Tax Relief

2. Is there a leader of the El Paso delegation, should there be, and if so, who is it or who should it be?

El Paso is devoid of leadership until someone stands up for the taxpayer, the educator and tougher laws for those who break society’s norms.

3. How specifically would you work with the delegation on the El Paso agenda? Would you commit to regular meetings both with legislators and staff?

Teamwork is essential and I pledge to meet regularly with anyone that makes El Paso their number one priority!

4. Do you support toll roads? Under what circumstances ought tolls be used? How would you fund roads and highways if not through tolls?

We are paying almost $3.00 a gallon for gas. A toll road is nothing more than another tax. The Federal Trust Fund is dedicated to the funding of federal surface transportation programs and is a stable funding source.

5. What is the role of state government in community development, and what will you do to make it happen?

State government must find ways to promote or create equity capital for entrepreneurs. Retaining talented individuals, economic development and job creation are but a few of the reasons we must open dialog on such great El Paso benefits as no state income tax, decent cost of living, temperate weather and bring good high paying jobs home.

6. Will you vote for Tom Craddick as House Speaker if he again is a candidate?

In 2003 Craddick became the first Republican Texas speaker since Reconstruction, but nasty redistricting battles hurt. Speaker Craddick has been a champion of property tax relief and tort reform. Given this, I would meet with the Speaker and other House members and only after those meetings could I provide an informed decision.

7. Do you support expansion of CHIP, and if so, how will you ensure more people sign up and the program is funded?

This program began as a federal program and President Bush has proposed a $5 billion increase in CHIP. Reducing the amount of red tape is the best way to ensure more people sign up.

8. How would you balance the tax burden between sales taxes and business taxes? Is there too much of one or the other, and which would you cut or raise?

The tax system is punative and crippling to the economy. Business tax should be an area of consideration since business taxes are built into the cost of products or services, so consumers are actually paying those taxes, too. It’s a hidden sales tax.

9. Do you support the reopening of Speaking Rock, and what steps would you take to help it reopen?

Chief Justice John Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court held that every treaty ratified by the U.S. Senate under Article VI, Clause 2 of the Constitution, was the "supreme law of the land." Texas has no jurisdiction over the Tigua’s Sovereignty.