Candidate Questionnaire:   Please write response below question or on separate attachment if necessary.

1.       Do you support the current Major Cities Chief Policy (MCC) known as  “Sanctuary Cities” for minority and illegal aliens in force by the Tulsa Police Chief and current Mayor?  Will you as Mayor continue this practice?

No, I don't. I and my administration will institute a new policy. We will also work to keep our police department from being understaffed so that these issues can be given more of a priority.

2.       Do you feel the Sanctuary Policy practice has proved successful in Tulsa whereby officers befriend minority communities in order to get their help in solving crime in their local community?  

Not particularly. I would however like to see more police officers who can speak spanish so that real police work can be done in these neighborhoods, instead of relying on folks to think we are friendly enough to turn themselves in.

3.       As Mayor will you work to repeal the current Major Cities Chief’s Policy known as sanctuary?  If so, how will it be done?  

As stated I and my administration will institute a new policy that works best for Tulsa.

4.       It is mandatory under HB1804 that all State Agencies verify eligible workers through the Federal E-Verify Program.  Should all employers in the City of Tulsa be required to run all new hires through the E-Verify program?  

I support HB 1804 and I support the rule of law in our state and our city. One of the key problems with immigration has been the enforcement issue. Presently, our Police and Fire departments are understaffed. I will focus on fixing our City budget so that we can maintain proper staffing levels for the Police department.

At that point I would be willing to work with the sheriff's office who already has officers trained on immigration issues to see what can be done to better enforcement in our city.

5.       Should Tulsa employers be accountable for their labor hires by heavy fines when they continue to hire workers with no valid identification?   Would you ensure heavy fines are collected?

I support the rule of law but I'm not sure what you mean by "heavy" fines. Of course any fines should be collected, so don't get me wrong I support solid immigration reform and I support checking on companies who receive city contracts but at this point the city is unsafe and I am going to focus as much as possible on increasing the number of police and fire in our state. If the economy improves and/or our numbers of police increase then at that point we may be able to focus even more on the immigration issue then what I would be able to do when I'm first elected.

Keep in mind the city simply does not have the money and staff to do what they are trying to do today. I intend to fix that.

6.       As Mayor, would you be willing to appoint a committee of 5-7 people to hear citizen’s complaints regarding food vendors, food handlers, health permit violations, neighborhood and apartment occupancy ordinance violations, and reporting to the Tulsa City Council any recommendations on these valid complaints?   

No, mainly because this is something that should be done by the Mayor of Tulsa him or herself. Tulsa does have a strong mayor form of government and the Mayor should be held accountable for what happens in the city. I do support using the mayors action line to check up on any valid complaints including Immigration violation complaints.

7.       Do you support a Balanced Budget for Tulsa?

I support a Balanced Budget for Tulsa, not only because I support Balanced Budgets in general, but because it is required by law that Tulsa have a balanced budget. Many people may not realize it but Tulsa is required law to have a balanced budget, this is why the budget may get revised overtime as tax revenue increases or decreases. It is also why some people may be furloughed or lay-ed off if the original budget has too much spending.

8.         What else would you like IRON members to know?

That I support the goals of Iron, I support HB 1804 and I support E-VERIFY. I will as mayor change the "Major Cities Chief's Policy" known as the "Sanctuary City" policy, and Immigration will be an issue that I will deal with as mayor to the best of my ability.