STONEWALL Democrats of Dallas, Candidate Name: Dwaine Caraway Council District: 4 Please complete questionnaice below. You must send a completed electronic copy o Potical@StonewollDemocratsOfDallas.org or mai a completed copy to P.O. Box 192305 Datla, TX 75219 by Monday, March 6°, 2017, 1. Your background and the LGBTQ community Please share any experience that illustrates your understanding and interest ofthe needs of LGBTQ Dallas residents. District Four has always been adverse distrit. | have alvays worked to unite people of all backgrounds and ‘orientations. From my experience those in the LGBT, community want tobe treated equally and able to lve thelr lives withthe same protections and right of al itzens. |when | served on Daas City Counell, my door was open to allchzens. That wll never change. If specific sues arse, the citizens of District 4 and Dallas know that Lam wiling to meet and discuss them, ‘Stonewall Democrats of Dallas seek to Inform members ofthe LGBTQ and Democratic Party community of candidate's politcal background. Our organization's by-laws requlre us only to consider candidates with Democrat Primary Voter history or, in the case af someone having some history af voting in Republican Primaries, afiems their party afflaton 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 Dalla County Democratic Party? ‘My voting history reflects my allegiance tothe Democratic Party. 2. Creating an inclusive community Cities compet for residents, tax payers, conventions and new businesses/economie development. As a member of the Dallas Cty Council, how would you insure that Dallas can compete effectively wit ather ites in the area of, LGBTQ inclusion? 1's very important that Dallas maintains its reputation as an inclusive ct. | am always open to Ideas that would help to strengtnen that reputation. Would you recruit and consider qualified LGBTQ constituents for your commission and board appointments? Yes ‘Will you suppor a Dallas ity Counel's resolution fora statewide ban on LGBTQ employment dscrimination? Yes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? |1do not have al ofthe answers with respect to retaining talent. I believe thatthe best ideas wil come from the LGBTa, community, and | am wiling to meet and sten. That beng said, | think that the City of Dallas has the reputation of fostering an environment thats welcoming and inclusive ofall employees ‘bo you support comprehensive transgender inclusive health benefits and asa council member work with the Cty ‘Manager to Implement such benefits? Yes. 4, Current Events The Governor and many state legislators continue to push legislation to curtail the curent cope of governance for “home rule" itis like Dallas. This could remove local control over matters suchas dling within city limits, LGBT protections, etc. Do you favor or oppose this, and what do you plan todo in response? |.am against legislation that removes loc antral. The major cits, tke Dallas, generate the majority of revenues that the Legislature spends. There i no reason forthe Leisature to meddle inthe affairs ofthe Cty of Dallas. With that in ‘mind, most ofthe urban members ofthe Legislature oppose this “power grab." lam willing to work with those forementioned elected State offal to resst any attempts to remove local contra |What are your thoughts onthe 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 offceholder accounts which may be used for campaign purposes? The same spending limits should apply tall nvolved in campaigns, whether incumbent or challenger. A level playing field i best fr alinvoles. How do you plan to address the Police and Fie Pension criss? How would you support a tax increase to address the ‘ongoing funding deft forthe Police and Fire Pension System's benefits? Ibeliove thatthe Police and Fire employees should get what they were promised, First responders are key toa safe and functioning city. Idon’t fel an adational tax is necessary, fel that both sides have to compromize 20 thatthe pension can remain solvent forall police and fir employees. |am willing to meet with all involved to help us get to that ‘common ground. What is your position regarding curent state legislation to regulate public faity access and keep transgender Texans {rom using restrooms that align with thelr gender entity? Will you defend the existing non-iscrimination city ‘ordinance for LGBTQ individuals, including public accommodations?Yes, Iwill defend the ordinance. think that the State has a multitude of more pressing issues (education, public safety funding, pars, etc) than policing bathrooms and othe facilites Homelessness affects marginalized communities, such asthe 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 thie ‘rss? Do you support a “Housing Fist initiative for Dallas? | do support “Housing First.” As ve sald for years, “you can't geta ob without a ome addres." But beyond the dea of Housing Fist, it’s about action and measurable results. Two years ago | worked to open Serenity Pace in District Four, a 4S-unit gated apartment complex for women who are homeless or low income with or without children in transition, ‘What are your Ideas to address income inequality in the ity of Dallas? Do you support implementing “ving wage” rules for city employees, cty contracts, and subcontractor workers? How will ou suppor the use of ety subsidies or tax abatements for housing development that substantially benefit the growing numberof working poor and ‘strugling middleclass residents inthe City of Dallas? In my previous service on the Dallas Cy Counc | tirelessly fought fora ving wage ordinance. With respect to subcontracted employees, 'm on record fr fighting for better pay forthe citys sanitation workers. There are multiple casesin which created housing developments that benefitted Dallas’ poor and middle-class residents within Counc District Four. Those developments include: Lancaster Urban Vilage Mixed-Use Project, Serenity lace (permanent supportive housing for women with and without children, and Fi Senior Uving Project. What do you think the role of local aw enforcement should be inthe enforcing of federal immigration law? “The City of Dallas should not bein the role of enforcing federal immigration law. That i tthe jab of any local ‘municipality \What are your thoughts about the Dallas County Commissioners! recent resolution declaring Dallas County a “Welcoming County, particularly as it pertains tothe City of Dallas? Do you support this resolution? support this resolution, o you support ensuring that all residents of the City of Dallas have access to city services, regardless of migration status? Why, or why not? Yes. Again, the City of Dallas has 2 reputation of being an inclusive city. With that in mind, we should only be focused fon making sure all rsidents, regardless of immigration status, have acess to city services, Discrimination of any sar will not be tolerated Las fiscal year, the Dallas ity Council approved an ongoing $15 millon dollar ballout for ATTPAC with lite support {or small arts organizations in etuen ries argue that the real needs for support in local neighborhoods outside the ‘Arts District that ae cultural deserts. What are your thoughts on revising or canceling the annual $1.5 milion balout ‘and use those funds to support smal to mid-size arts groups in underserved neighborhoods as well asthe downtown area?Wie have to find common ground in this area | have always been a supporter ofthe arts in underserved neighborhoods, Regardless of whether or nt the ballou is revised, the city must do a beter jo of funding neighborhood based arts ‘groups and programs. Dare Ca fn seling an endorsement om the Stonewall Demat Dal forthe 1617 als thy Cuca oor CS oate_ 3 Jo2/a011