Texan of the Year: Carter Casteel

I am a little late on this, but...

Texan Of The Year: Blogger Style

State Representative Carter Casteel.

Rep Casteel is a moderate Republican who takes her job seriously and appreciates the chance to make the state better every day she serves her district and the Lone Star State.

Year after year she tirelessly attempts to pass legislation that would give counties more control on zoning and protecting their land. Session after session she attempts to foster compromise and consensus when bipartisanship is often a luxury that few try to foster. Rep Casteel is an impressive legislator in a time when we have to many politicians.

Rep Casteel took the time to answer a few questions, and rather than screening which questions intrest me, I have included them all for your enjoyment.

Congrats to Rep Casteel, and thanks to everyone involved.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE 65% RULE?

That’s fine. That’s an admirable goal. Depending on how you count it.
But here’s the question…what is the classroom? Are you talking about the teacher, the aide, the nurse, the librarian, the counselor? You have to include some of the support for the teacher so the kid is in the classroom in the first place.

How does one balance voting one's district, one's party, and one's personal feelings when those three points are not all in line on a single issue?

I’ve got a brain and a background so I know that’s important to use.
I’m also in a district I’ve lived in for thirty something years. I have a fair understanding of my district, but it is critical that I communicate with my district. It is a struggle because you going to vote your district and your conscience and every two years you have to answer to them. I’m comfortable with my party platform.

What concerns me is how public education became a liberal issue!
That’s a conservative value.

I balance all those things and make my decision. It can offend people, but I can stand by my decisions. Don’t forget, I listen to the debate.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING?

I think adequacy is still on the table and will come up in the next special session

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE LEGE DO WITH SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM?

Competitive teacher pay and health care benefits. I don’t think it’s fair to ask our teachers to help shape the future of Texas and not compensate them in a fair way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL ACTUALLY HAPPEN WITH SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM?

I think everything is on the table. I’ve met with John Sharp and I believe we are all eager to see solutions that are fair from district to district. I think there is a growth and interest among the people of Texas that are paying attention and I think that is a good thing. People are concerned about our lack of progress and stepping up to the plate to get in front of the right people.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS YOU ADMIRE MOST IN A LEGISLATOR?

First of all, you just have to be honest about how you conduct yourself. You have to be a straight shooter and have the willingness to get along with people. You can’t agree with everyone all the time, but you have to be willing to talk and to listen. If God had intended for us to talk all the time he’d given us two mouths and one ear. Lastly, you have to have humor. You have to have the attitude that “I don’t care who gets the credit” you just have to care that it gets done. Dig in the mud and not care who cares who find the diamond ring.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY ‘LOBBYING’ THE LEGISLATURE?

How in the world can the Ed. Community communicate with the legislature without coming up there and talk to them. If you want to call it lobby, fine. But people go on their own time and write letters. People have made the same complaints against everybody that comes up to the legislature.
That
being said, I’d rather see my tax dollars being used to educate children. If that’s not happening, then I want my tax dollars to communicate with the legislature on behalf of what’s not happening. I don’t know what the rule is, but we’ll see if a rule is going to be proposed.

How is it being done? Can we invite the Education Community to the legislature in a different way? They’ve been shut out so maybe a lobbyist is the only way to get in the door.