Candidate Name: Deputy Mayor Pro Tem 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 6 th, 2017.

1. Your background and the LGBTQ community

Please share any experience that illustrates your understanding and interest of the
needs of LGBTQ Dallas residents.

I understand that all individuals have a right to express themselves and to be in

a relationship with whomever they may decide. I have served on the council
and 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 LGBTQ 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, in the
case of someone having some history of voting in Republican Primaries, 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?

I am a lifelong 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 LGBTQ inclusion? I will
continue to support

I would listen to all citizens of Dallas fairly and act to ensure that their interests
are being addressed and support efforts for inclusion of individual rights.

Would you recruit and consider qualified LGBTQ constituents for your commission and
board appointments?
 Yes, I continue to support qualified LGBT constituents for District 8 commissions
and boards appointments.

Will you support a Dallas City Council's resolution for a statewide ban on LGBTQ
employment discrimination?
Yes, if it is similar to the one I voted for in November 2015.
 3. The City of Dallas as a LGBTQ inclusive employer

The private sector has seen a large increase in policies and benefits for LGBTQ
employees, how should the City of Dallas remain competitive to attract and retain top
LGBTQ 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 many state legislators continue to push legislation to curtail
the current scope of governance for 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 efforts in the reduction in local control for municipalities. The state
should not take local control out of our hands. If the states want to maintain states rights
over federal rights, then option should be given to local governments over states rights. 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 support the current campaign finance rules that allow only $100 of contributions to move
from an incumbents office holder account into their campaign account.

How do you plan to address the Police and Fire Pension crisis? How would you support
a tax increase to address the ongoing funding deficits for the Police and Fire Pension
System's benefits?

At this current time, as a current city council member I would not support a tax increase to
support the system. In full disclosure, I am also a Pension Board member and my
responsibility is to protect the pension funds for current and past beneficiaries. The Police
and Fire Pension system and the City of Dallas have not come to an agreement on cuts by
both sides. Also, until the current asset allocation has been re-evaluated and the rate of
return has been reduced to current real statements then no real solution can be found.

What is your position regarding current state legislation to regulate public facility
access and keep transgender Texans from using restrooms that align with their
gender identity? Will you defend the existing non-discrimination city ordinance for
LGBTQ individuals, including public accommodations?

I support our current ordinance.

Homelessness affects marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQ community, at a

disproportional rate. Given the increasing problem of homelessness in Dallas and
efforts to minimize it, what would your approach be to address this crisis? Do you
support a Housing First initiative for Dallas?

I would support a joint effort with community, city, county, state, and federal
department/agencies to assist with this issue. There are three types of homelessness
needs that have to be met; those that want to be sheltered, those that want to be outside
under a covering, and those that want to remain in the open elements. I also believe that
we need to stronger efforts in discouraging families from using individuals for their
personal gains. Also, we need to increase federal funding for cities and counties that have
to deal with homelessness.
I would support a housing first initiative if it included other wrap around services such as
mental health, drug and alcohol assistance, education assistance and job readiness skills
training.

What are your Ideas to address income inequality in the City of Dallas? Do you
support implementing living wage rules for city employees, city contracts, and
subcontractor workers? How will you support the use of city subsidies or tax
abatements for housing development that substantially benefit the growing number
of working poor and struggling middle class residents in the City of Dallas?

I supported our current implementation of a living wage increase for the City of
Dallas contractors of $10.37.

What do you think the role of local law enforcement should be in the enforcing of
federal immigration law?

I think that our current local law enforcement should not take an active role in
doing what federal agents are created to do. We can provide support when
needed, but not be an active enforcer of such laws.

What are your thoughts about the Dallas County Commissioners' recent resolution
declaring Dallas County a Welcoming County, particularly as it pertains to the City
of Dallas? Do you support this resolution?

I think the City of Dallas is a welcoming city and not an active enforcer for
federal agents that are tasked with enforcing national laws. I would support a
resolution stating that Dallas is a welcoming city that does not prohibit federal
agents from enforcing federal immigration laws.
Do you support ensuring that all residents of the City of Dallas have access to city
services, regardless of immigration status? Why, or why not?

I support all law abiding tax paying City of Dallas residents receiving all city
services.

Last fiscal year, the Dallas City Council approved an ongoing $15 million dollar bailout
for ATTPAC with little support for small arts organizations in return. Critics argue that
the real need is for support in local neighborhoods outside the Arts District that are
cultural deserts. What are your thoughts on revising or canceling the annual $1.5
million bailout and use those funds to support small to mid-size arts groups in
underserved neighborhoods as well as the downtown area?

I feel that we should revisit the effectiveness of this agreement in every two
years to reevaluate how smaller to midsize arts groups are benefiting. We
should make adjustments to ensure that all art groups are equally benefiting
from unified efforts of having diverse art groups.

I, ________XX_______________________, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats

of Dallas for the 2017 Dallas City Council elections.

Signed___________________________________ Date__________________________