Chris Utchell

Pegasus: What drew you to run for office?

Utchell: I feel that the average citizen is not currently being represented in Austin. The state government appears to be run by lobbyists, special interest groups, and big business. I want to give the average, hard working Texan the opportunity for equal representation in the Texas State Legislature.

Pegasus: What are the platforms of your campaign?

Utchell: Improve Public Education, Affordable Healthcare for all Texans, Lower Utility Rates, Against adding Toll Taxes to existing Pubic Highways

Pegasus: What are the concerns of the people in your community/ that you represent?

Utchell: I have been knocking on doors for well over one year now. The one concern that everyone seems to have is the proposal for adding Toll Lanes to Loop 820, and the entire Tarrant Expressway Project. It appears that nobody, except for local elected officials, is in favor of this proposal.

Pegasus: What are the sources of conflict in your election contest?

Utchell: Toll lanes on existing public highways, the removal of public funding from our public education system for a voucher program that can be used for private schooling

Pegasus: How do you differ from your opponents?

Utchell: My opponent has been publically thanked for his support of the currently proposed Loop 820 expansion project, along with the rest of the Tarrant Expressway project. I am for expansion, but against adding Toll Taxes to existing public highways. I feel we can expand the highways with a combination of the current state budget surplus and by selling bonds.

My opponent has previously accepted $10,000 from Texans for School Choice. This is a pro-voucher PAC. I am against removing necessary public resources from our education system to allow the privileged few to lower their costs for a private education. School districts are having enough trouble balancing their current budgets without borrowing from their savings. There is no reason to make things more difficult for our local public school districts.

Pegasus: Do you have a favorite Presidential candidate?

Utchell: Barack Obama

Pegasus: How do you feel about the following newsy issues from the area:

*Convention center hotel

Utchell: no opinion

*Switching freeways from free to toll-based

Utchell: opposed to

*HOV lanes

Utchell: in favor of

*DART rail

Utchell: in favor of

*Barnett Shale drilling

Utchell: must be safe, and residents must benefit

*Cellphone use in cars

Utchell: prefer to see hands free devices

*Open internet access in public libraries

Utchell: mixed feelings

*“Green” buildings

Utchell: in favor of, but must also be cost efficient

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

*War in Iraq

Utchell: think it is an unnecessary war that should have, and could have, been avoided

*Immigration

Utchell: I am for the national security of the country

*Energy sources (oil vs wind vs solar)

Utchell: would like to see the United States turn towards safe, renewable forms of energy, and reduce our dependency on foreign oil