Chris Harris

Current roles

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  Local Republican Party: Member
• »
  Local State Senate: Texas State Senator

Former roles

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  Local State Senate: Texas State Senate candidate

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Pegasus News 2008 candidate survey

NAME: Chris Harris

OFFICE/DISTRICT: State Senate District 9 (parts of Tarrant, Dallas, and Denton Counties)

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

OPPONENT: Melvin Willms (D), Carl Nulsen (Lib)

Education: Attended TCU, J.D. from Baylor Law School

Background: Attorney, businessman

Hobbies: Ranching

Family: Married to Tammy Harris, five children

Pegasus:What drew you to run for office?

Harris: concern over economic development and transportation in Texas and the local area

Pegasus: What are the concerns of people in your community?

Harris: economic development, quality schools, safety

Pegasus: What are the sources of conflict in this election?

Harris: none; opponents are not actively running

Pegasus:How do you differ from your opponents?

Harris: positions on tort reform and frivolous lawsuits. Democrat opponent was named a vexatious litigant for representing himself, pro se, in over two dozen frivolous, losing lawsuits.

Pegasus:Do you have a favorite Presidential Candidate?

Harris: John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee

Pegasus:How do you feel about the following Issues from the area?

*Convention center hotel

Harris: I will support whatever Dallas voters decide.

*Freeways from free to toll-based roads

Harris: I oppose switching free (gas tax) roads to toll roads. I support new tollroads, such as 121 an 161, as a part of our transportation needs.

*HOV lanes

Harris: I will support these, provided they reduce congestion.

*DART rail

Harris: I will work with local cities on regional transportation expansion. I want to require that citizens approve any tax increase and expansion, and would want to see sufficient rail line density to justify the expansion.

*Barnett Shale drilling

Harris: Cities should be able to set reasonable regulations on drilling distances from businesses and residences, such as up to one thousand feet, where city governments feel that is warranted.

*Cellphone use in cars

Harris: I would want to see more studies before adding new regulations.

*Open Internet access in public libraries

Harris: This is a matter for local library boards to resolve.

*Green buildings

Harris: I support increased conservation efforts and more reliance on alternative energy fuels, both for cost and environmental reasons. State buildings should increase their energy efficiency dramatically in the next few years.

Pegasus: How do you feel about the following national issues?

*War in Iraq

Harris: We are rapidly coming to the time when U.S. troops can be reduced, and Iraqi forces can provide the greater part of military security and economic development.

*Immigration

Harris: I support efforts to reduce illegal immigration, and to remove those who cross our borders illegally. In particular, I favor state agencies, such as DPS, cooperating with ICE federal authorities.

*Energy sources

Harris: Texas should increase its energy sources, including natural gas, wind, and solar sources, as well as more reliance on nuclear energy, where safe and efficient.

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League of Women Voters 2008 candidate survey

LWV Please describe the training and experience that qualify you for this office.

Harris: As a parent, businessman, attorney and state senator, I support a strong Texas economy, quality schools, and lower crime rates. That’s what I strive for as District 9 state senator.

LWV The Texas Legislature in 2007 overhauled business taxes to provide property tax relief for homeowners, but many small business owners in Texas now claim that their property tax decrease was far less than their business tax increase. What measures should be taken to maintain adequate state tax revenues without unduly burdening individual taxpayers or small business?

Harris: This tax was required by Texas courts to reduce school districts’ reliance on property taxes. The business margins tax needs revisions in the 2009 legislature, but the real goal should be to rely less on property taxes as a funding source.

LWV Texas deregulated electricity rates with the promise that competition between suppliers would lower consumers’ electric rates, yet rates in Texas remain well above the national average. What measures should be taken to ensure electric power reliability and affordability in Texas?

Harris: Texas should expand its energy base, including more new and clean technologies, natural gas, solar, nuclear, and wind energy, along with greater conservation efforts. Energy demands will only steadily increase with the growing Texas economy and population. Texas should also continue to upgrade its grid to ensure reliable and efficient delivery.

LWV According to the most recent published data of the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, insurance industry losses in Texas have decreased by 85%, yet homeowners’ rates have fallen by only 4%. What reforms would you support to lower homeowners’ rates in Texas?

Harris: The next legislature should reexamine the Texas Department of Insurance’s largely ineffective efforts to lower residential rates. Competitive markets should be producing lower rates than what we now have.

LWV The Texas legislature has not increased the gas tax since 1991, and also diverts millions of dollars of transportation funds to other areas of the state budget such as education and the Department of Public Safety. The public has voiced much disapproval of toll roads and public/private partnerships to build new roads. How would you fund construction of new roads and maintenance of existing roads and bridges?

Harris: Gasoline taxes and toll roads are necessary evils to meet North Texas’ highway needs. I support reviewing TXDOT’s effectiveness, and the relationship between NTTA and TXDOT. When necessary, new highways within North Texas, such as Highway 161, may be funded as toll roads, not by higher gasoline taxes.

LWV If diversions from the State’s transportation fund are stopped, how would you pay for those items that are currently funded by gas tax monies?

Harris: I support single-purpose taxes, such as the state gasoline tax, being restricted to their original purpose.

LWV Currently, sales prices of most residential property are disclosed while those of commercial property are not. Do you support public disclosure of commercial real estate sales prices so as to ensure fair and accurate appraisals?

Harris: The better solution is to rely less on property taxes, make the appraisal process more professional, and separate the appraisal review process from taxing entities by making it more responsive to voters.