Kalandra N. Wheeler 

Pegasus: What drew you to run for office?

Wheeler: I realize that Texas deserves better and I could not turn down the opportunity to run for office. Health care is a concern, education is a concern, transportation and new road projects are a concern and we need to have representatives in there ready for to fight in order to bring the needed changes into District 92.

Pegasus: What are the platforms of your campaign?

Wheeler: I believe in traditional Democratic values. I believe in a government that works for the people and not against the people. The government should be the driving force working towards providing quality education, affordable health care, a clean environment, economic growth and good jobs.

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

Wheeler: Roads and freeways are a concern of the people. Most would agree that we need more lanes on our freeways. However, many will agree that they cannot afford a daily toll as they commute back and forth to work and for their errands on weekends. Tolls are not the solution.

The environment is a concern, as many want to move towards "green" solutions. We need to push towards improving our environment. When economically, feasible solutions are available, we would be negligent in not taking advantage of those solutions as they come about.

Education is a concern of the people. People want to be sure that their children receive a quality public education and ultimately college education. Currently we need to make sure our schools have adequate funding for all programs necessary for ensuring that our children are competitive, while also holding them accountable for wasteful spending. As our children graduate from high school, we need to ensure that all children can afford an education at our institutions of higher learning in Texas.

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

Wheeler: I think we have different ideas in regards to the potential in Austin and the power of the people. On the horizon, I can see change in leadership, I see a Texas where the people make a difference. The end result is a House of Representatives working together and working for the people, as opposed to what happens under the current divisive leadership.

Pegasus: How do you differ from your opponents?

Wheeler: It is time for a fresh perspective in Austin. Our state is at a critical crossroads and now is the time to push for change. District 92 needs a voice that can relate to and understand the needs of the people. Then the goal is to work diligently to bridge the partisan divides in Austin so that those needs can be met. This goal can only be accomplished by changing the leadership in Austin and I believe that a leadership change is possible. Once under new leadership, we must support good legislation in spite of party affiliations and focus on the needs of the people.

Pegasus: Do you have a favorite Presidential candidate?

Wheeler: Yes, I am an Obama supporter and would have been a Hillary supporter had she received the nomination. Aside from that, I hope and encourage all voters to look down ballot at their state and county candidates, as they will make decisions that affect their daily lives here in Texas and Tarrant County. Whether or not we have President Obama or President McCain, your state representatives will be working in Austin for Texas roads and education, while your county commissioners build and maintain county facilities such as your jails.

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

*Convention center hotel

Wheeler: When the people are passionate about a cause, I feel that they should not be ignored. In this case, the people are clearly interested in this venture. The government is suppose to work for the people and not against the people. With concerns that the public isn't fully aware of all aspects of the project, that many meetings were privately conducted when there is argument that the public should have been invited to participate, and that this project will compete directly with other tax payers, I think the public has a right to be heard on the issue. Furthermore, the project is to be funded by revenue bonds, however, it appears that there may not be much security in that actually happening. We can not ignore the fact that our current economic state will play an important part in this project.

*Switching freeways from free to toll-based

Wheeler: I currently do not support toll roads. I can not accept that as the solution until I have proof that this is the only solution or at the very least the best solution. I am convinced of neither. This is especially true when asking my position on constructing tolls on existing public highways. Currently, in District 92, tolls are a huge issue, an issue that many everyday working people aren't even aware of. Toll roads result in a double tax. Residents pay a gas tax and then if they want a shorter commute to work they pay a toll tax. In a time of economic uncertainty, in a time where people are experiencing an increase in the cost of living while their income remains stagnant, the additional economic expense of toll roads won’t solve problems of traffic congestion. Its about protecting hard working residents from construction alleged to provide relief when in fact it will not. Most people can’t afford tolls and as a result, they remain in the free lanes of travel where congestion remains a problem. This results in an expensive toll way that driver’s don’t use and we ultimately find was a waste space, time, and money.

*HOV lanes

Wheeler: No one wants to drive by day after day, looking and completed HOV lanes that remain closed well after construction is completed. Construction plans for HOV lanes should be reviewed to ensure immediate use and to ensure that entrances and exits are placed strategically so that people have access to the lanes with minimal interference to individuals operating vehicle in regular lanes. Furthermore, while traveling in HOV lanes, people should be able to enter and exit in locations convenient to their final destinations. Many will complain that HOV lanes are not convenient because the exits don’t get them to where they are going. Yes, I do see possible benefits to HOV lanes when they are used. They encourage carpooling, which is environmentally responsible. However, if the above needs of the people can’t be met then they become useless and they simply become a project for passersby to observe. Aside from the construction complaints, if HOV lanes are beneficial and can be done properly, I don’t agree with excessive HOV lanes causing greater congestion in regular lanes and I don’t agree with attempts to turn HOV lanes into toll lanes or what some would try to disguise under the term "managed" lanes.

*DART rail

Wheeler: DART rail is a great system for areas that actually take advantage of the public transportation system. I can see a rise in that direction as gas prices remain high and people search for ways to provide some relief for their economic hardships. Additionally, a successful system may lead to similar actions/projects in nearby areas.

*Barnett Shale drilling

Wheeler: I think that this is a situation where big business is in a position to take advantage of everyday people. Oil and gas law is complicated, that’s why they have experts in the field. I think steps should be taken to protect the people. All too often, people are only getting the positive and they are not fully aware of the negative aspects. When financial interest and health and safety concerns are all at stake, steps should be taken to protect vulnerable citizens that are not being shown the whole picture.

*Cellphone use in cars

Wheeler: Overall, I believe that if a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired due to cell phone usage, there are other traffic offenses for which a person could be stopped and ticketed, e.g. reckless driving. However, I must say that I would be open to a review of legislation proposing a ban on cell phone use in cars. I feel that I may not agree with a complete ban, but I do see some circumstances where a partial ban may be appropriate.

*Open internet access in public libraries

Wheeler: We should definitely look into filtering internet access at our public libraries for the simple fact that they are public. However, I would also want to look into ways of allowing public access without restrictions. A cost comparison on the two options should be explored further. Regardless of the materials viewed on the internet, there may be people offended by some thing or another. Accordingly, restricting or monitoring access should be kept to a minimum. What offends one may not offend another. Additionally, the public library is a place for research, a place for education, a place for work, and a place for recreation. Thus, due to the different lifestyles we live, the different careers we have, we are bound to have some conflict. To hinder one's access to benefit another may not be fair. I would encourage further discussion and an exploration of all reasonable alternatives.

*"Green" buildings

Wheeler: I encourage "green" buildings and companies moving in that direction should be rewarded. As we work to alleviate our pollution woes, we need to look toward "green" solutions. Green buildings and environmentally responsible. They save energy and water while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and waste output.

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

*War in Iraq

Wheeler: Over the years so many lives have been lost and to the families out there dealing with their pain, I say a prayer for them. I do believe that it is time for an exit plan. I am not for the plan that has our troops there for 100 years.

*Immigration

Wheeler: Our federal government needs to work towards a solution on immigration issues. We simply can’t say to someone, "You don’t belong here." That’s not justice. We are a melting pot built upon immigrants. The blood, sweat, and tears of immigrants can’t be washed away by floodwaters. Each and everyone’s contribution has made us what we are today. However, we need to make sure that jobs are available. We need to make sure that workers in the United States are paid legal wages. We need to ensure that businesses don’t continue to take advantage of a situation that our federal government struggles to correct. Our federal government is assigned this duty and they need to step up to the plate. .

*Energy sources (oil vs wind vs solar)

Wheeler: With our increasing energy needs due to dwindling resources and our growing population, Texas is in dire need of further exploration of alternative sources of energy such as, solar, wind, hydroelectric energy, and geothermal energy sources, just to name a few. This research and development should continue at Texas A&M University, The Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) in College Station, The University of Texas at Austin, and The University of Texas at Dallas, with the support and encouragement of our government.