Candidate Name: Tennell Atkin Council District: Dallas

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.

As a City Councilman for District 8 for eight years, and as Mayor Pro Tem for the city, I
adopted an inclusive stance, and I firmly stood by the idea that I represent the rights and
needs of all citizens. Discrimination in any form based on race, gender, religion, or
orientation is not within the scope of my thinking. As an African American, I have common
cause with other minority groups in standing up to discrimination, and share the desire for
freedom and equality and all the promises we are guaranteed by the Constitution. I am
particularly sensitive to this issue. I voted in favor of the Dallas City Council
Comprehensive LGBTQ Resolution in March of 2014. I firmly believe that all city boards
and commissions should be inclusive, and I will have an open door policy to foster
dialogue with the LGBTQ community.

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 with extensive Democratic Primary voting history. I have also
donated to and volunteered with many Democratic campaigns at the local, state and
national level over the years. For example, during the 2016 DCDP Coordinated Campaign,
I served as a Super Volunteer and coordinated with the DCDP field program to walk over
4000 doors in support of our local Democratic candidates.

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?

Economic development was central to my tenure on the Council and I was involved in
many efforts to bring business to Dallas from companies in the US and beyond. For my
district, which is economically disadvantaged, much of my effort had to do with brining
basic amenities in, such as better grocery shopping in our food deserts. I also worked to
bring in better retail and dining options, and to create jobs by having companies locate
operations here. I dont believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution that will attract LGBTQ
citizens, or make the city more enjoyable for those who already live here. The diversity
within the LGBTQ community is just like that of any other group, so we should not think in
monolithic terms. However, we can make sure Dallas is seen as welcoming and friendly to
LGBTQ residents. We can do what is necessary in terms of policing and public safety to
make sure our LGBTQ residents are safe and not subject to bullying or violence, which
unfortunately does still happen. As city leaders, we can also do a lot more sustained
listening and study of the needs of our thriving LGBTQ community and figure out what
does make Dallas attractive and where we can improve. I personally believe that all great
cities are diverse and inclusive. The great cities of the world have LGBTQ communities
that feel included and make tremendous contributions to business and culture. Dallas can
only be a world-class city by doing the same.

Would you recruit and consider qualified LGBTQ constituents for your commission and
board appointments?

Yes, without hesitation.

Will you support a Dallas City Council's resolution for a statewide ban on LGBTQ
employment discrimination?

Yes. I always like to review resolutions before I vote, but I am inclined to support this idea.

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?

As I have stated here, I believe that greatness derives from inclusiveness and diversity,
including the participation of LGBTQ employees. I am fully in favor of any policy or benefit
for LGBTQ employees that put them on an equal footing with all employees.

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 of course want to review and understand the impact and cost of such
benefits, but I am inclined to support this idea.

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 am opposed to the State infringing on the rights of local citizens and municipalities to
govern themselves. Many of the efforts at the State level are transparently political and
motivated by lawmakers obligations to industry and special interests. This is the opposite
of genuine representation. Meanwhile, the same leaders hypocritically complain about
Federal infringement on the rights of States. Good government makes room for local
control and respects the perspectives and decision-making of people who live here. Gas
fracking is a potential public health risk. We should not put the rights of energy companies
above the rights of people who want to feel comfortable and safe raising their families in
Dallas, without worrying about water quality or earthquakes.

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?

As someone who has run for this office as a candidate and also as an incumbent, I believe
the rules should be the same for anyone running. Its just common sense.

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?

I would support a tax increase. I dont think there is any other way to solve this problem. I
would subject the increase to voters approval.

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?

This is an example of a political wedge issue that Republicans use to distract attention
from the real needs of Texans such as healthcare and education. I will defend the City of
Dallas non-discrimination 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 support efforts to provide our homeless with housing and other services. I support the
Housing First concept. I also think providing medical care and counseling to those
homeless who are mentally ill is critical.

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 have no problem with enhancing minimum wage or implementing a living wage as

feasible. I also have and will continue to reach out to businesses and large companies to
bring new jobs to the City of Dallas and my district jobs that carry benefits and good pay.
If we can help struggling citizens reduce their expenses with less costly housing, that is
also one way to attack the problem.

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

We need comprehensive immigration reform. I do not believe the current administrations

policies are thought out or effective. They appear to be attempts to keep dubious
promises made on the campaign trail that are motivated more by religious and racial
discrimination than a well-considered plan to handle immigration. I do not think local law
enforcement should be obligated to carry out these ill-advised policies.

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 support the resolution.

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?

Yes in most cases.

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 would like to see a more proactive approach taken to foster the arts in Dallas. That would
mean distributing more funds to areas outside the Arts District where creative artists are
more likely to be able afford to live and work. However I do believe the Arts District is a
significant draw for our city and a major investment, and we must nurture it. Id like to see
a study done of how other cities have made room for artists in planned arts districts that
would normally be too expensive for working artists. We need to be looking at the models
provided by our countrys great cultural cities to see how they work.
I, _______________________________, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of
Dallas for the 2017 Dallas City Council elections.

Signed___________________________________ Date__________________________