About Bill
Growing Up In Dallas
Liz and I were both born in Dallas, and I grew up in Dallas, attending Walnut Hill Elementary School and graduating from the Greenhill School. When I returned to Dallas after graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1984 and marrying Liz in 1985, I became very active in local Republican and grassroots politics.
Becoming A Lake Highlands Wildcat
When we moved to our present home in Lake Highlands in 1992, we made a conscious decision and commitment to support and be active in the Lake Highlands community. I have been the crime watch chairman in my neighborhood and continue to be president of my homeowners association. I have been a member of the Lake Highlands Exchange Club for many years. All three of our children attended the Highlander School in Lake Highlands, which has been and continues to be a very special place to our family. Our children have gone on to attend Lake Highlands Junior High, Lake Highlands Freshman Center, and Lake Highlands High School. We are great supporters of the Wildcat Club for school sports, and the Booster Clubs for choir and theatre. In short, we love our community and love being involved.
Representing You In Austin
I first ran for the state legislature in 2002 because I saw an opportunity to promote the common-sense, conservative principles I have believed in for twenty-five years in the policy debate in Austin. My experience over the many sessions that occurred from 2003 through 2006 enabled me to support legislation that reflected the independent, conservative nature of this district, as well as oppose legislation that, in my opinion, was contrary to good policy.
Supporting Good Policy
I am proud of the years I served as your representative and the accomplishments we made during that time. The most significant accomplishment was balancing a budget with a $10-billion deficit in 2003 by cutting spending and eliminating duplication and waste, while avoiding tax increases — that is the kind of responsible government this district and our state deserve. I’m also proud that we enacted: historic tort reform that has significantly improved access to health care around the state; insurance reform that has greatly increased choice and competition for consumers; and reforms in public education so that performing teachers are rewarded, expenditures are transparent to taxpayers, and accountability for teaching our children has been enhanced.
Standing Up Against Bad Policy
Because I know what I believe and my fundamental responsibility was to represent the views of our area, I have, on occasion, had to differ even with the leadership in my own party. That opposition was most pronounced in 2005 when I led the opposition against the new business tax, and I also voted against Republican leadership on a state budget that increased spending by a whopping 19%. Supporting good policy, but also having the courage to oppose bad policy- even when it’s being promoted by my own party — is the kind of independent, common-sense representation you deserve.
It was a great honor and privilege to be your representative from 2003-06, and I am anxious to return to Austin and once again be your voice for common sense.