Relevant Experience:

Name: Donald “Dee” Margo

Age: 56

Occupation: CEO, JDW Insurance

Web site: www.DeeMargo.org

Residence: West Side

Relevant Experience: Civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, representing Ft. Bliss; Leading participant in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, working with Congressman Reyes and the mayor to bring more troops to Ft. Bliss; Co-founder of the Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) bringing more jobs and investments to El Paso; Proud partner in Operation Noel, giving 16,500 coats for El Paso children each Christmas; Former chairman of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce.

 

Issues

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

 

Complete funding for our Paul Foster Texas Tech Medical School, for classrooms, labs, and faculty.

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

 

The delegation should work together via consensus to do what is best for all of El Paso inclusive of our districts.

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?

 

I can work with each member of our delegation, and it’s critically important staffs meet regularly and develop rapport.

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

 

I will support toll roads only if there were no other alternatives to meet our transportation infrastructure needs, and we had agreement from the voters of El Paso.

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

 

Texas state government should assist community development by removing obstacles to private investment and encouraging smart growth and business expansion.

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

I will reserve my vote for speaker until I have done my due diligence on all candidates and determine who can best serve district 78 and El Paso.

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

 

CHIP needs to cover all eligible El Paso children. Enrollment obstacles need to be removed, eligible participants informed.

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?

 

Our tax burden relies too much on residential property owners and El Paso needs to increase business property investment to alleviate this inadequacy lowering the residential burden.

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

 

If the voters of District 78 desire the opening of Speaking Rock, I will support.