Candidate name: Erik Wilson

Council district: 8 Please complete questionnaire below.

You must send a completed electronic copy to Political@StonewallDemocratsOfDallas.org or mail a completed copy to P.O. Box 192305 Dallas, TX 75219 by Monday, March 2nd.1. Your background and the LGBT community Please share any experience that illustrates your understanding and interest of the needs of LGBT Dallas residents.

In the past I have had very little interaction with any LGBT organizations. I have served on city boards with members of the LGBT and we were able to work well together on common issues important to our districts and the city as a whole.Stonewall Democrats of Dallas seek to inform members of the LGBT and Democratic Party community of candidate's political background. Our organizations by-laws require us only to consider candidates with Democratic Primary voter history or or affirms their party affiliation via an oath of allegiance to the Democratic Party. Do you qualify or would you be prepared to sign an oath of allegiance form from the Dallas County Democratic Party? Yes, I card caring voting Democrat.2. Creating an inclusive community Cities compete for residents, tax payers, conventions and new businesses/economic development. As a member of the Dallas City Council, how would you insure that Dallas can compete effectively with other cities in the area of LGBT inclusion?

I would listen to all citizens of Dallas fairly and act to ensure that their interests are being addressed. Would you recruit and consider qualified LGBT constituents for your commission and board appointments?

Yes, I would consider qualified LGBT constituents for District 8 commissions and boards appointments. Will you support the Dallas City Council's resolution for marriage equality and also a statewide ban on LGBT employment discrimination?

Yes.Mayor Rawlings has refused to join the nationwide effort of mayors of 300 cities and 32 states to become a member of Mayors for the Freedom to Marry. This effort is chaired by Mayors of Boston, New York City, Houston and Los Angeles. Would you actively lobby and take action to encourage Mayor Rawlings to join this effort? (Please see http://www.freedomtomarry.org/pages/mayors-for-the-freedom-to-marry)

Yes, I would lobby the mayor to join this effort.3. The City of Dallas as a LGBT inclusive employer The private sector has seen a large increase in policies and benefits for LGBT employees, how should the City of Dallas remain competitive to attract and retain top LGBT talent?

I believe that the city should continue to recruit and retain talented individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.Do you support comprehensive transgender inclusive health benefits and as a council member work with the City Manager to implement such benefits? Yes, I would support such efforts.4. Current Events

The Governor and several state legislators intend to push legislation through to curtail the current scope of governance of home rule cities like Dallas. This could remove local control over matters such as drilling within city limits, LGBT protections, etc. Do you favor or oppose this, and what do you plan to do in response? I oppose any type of home rule option for our public schools and efforts to take local control out of our hands. I would actively support lobbing efforts to oppose such legislation actions. What are your thoughts on the current campaign finance rules for Dallas elections which set donation amount limits on people newly seeking office but essentially place no donation amount limits on incumbents via unrestricted officeholder accounts which may be used for campaign purposes? I feel that the current campaign finance rules should be revised to make it more even for both incumbent and candidate.The proposed Trinity Parkway toll road continues to make headlines. Do you see the Trinity Parkway as an essential roadway project to alleviate projected road congestion around our downtown core, or are there other solutions that Dallas should be focused on?I see the Trinity Parkway as an essential roadway in the effort to provide alternative transportation needs for Dallas.Given that tax revenue for the City of Dallas should rise this year without a tax rate increase, what are the top priorities to which these additional funds should be directed citywide and within your district?I feel the extra tax revenues should be used to help support economic and housing development within District 8 and all other areas south of the Trinity. The Grow South will not be effective in investments in infrastructure and job creations are not made in southern Dallas. Also, I would like to see more funding to support code enforcement and senior citizens programs.I, __Erik Wilson_____________________________, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the 2015 Dallas City Council elections. Signed___Erik Wilson________________________________ Date______3/2/15____________________