Career Politician or An Average Citizen (Teacher), Prior Criminal Acts or A Spotless Record, Who Attempts to Bullsh/t Us When We Ask Tough Questions?

Biographical Information
Name: Ray McMurrey	Name: Richard J. (Rick) Noriega
City/Town: Corpus Christi	City/Town: Houston
State: Texas	State: Texas
Education/Degrees: BA Political Science and Education MA Political Science and History	Education/Degrees: Attended Alvin Community College and Houston Community College; Bachelor's Degree, University of Houston (1984); Masters in Public Administration, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (1990); U.S. Army, Command and General Staff College (1997-98); Certificate: Advanced International Affairs, Bush School, Texas A&M (2005-2006)
Date of Birth: 3/9/65	Date of Birth: January 8, 1958
Work or Campaign Office Phone Number: 361-442-9046	Work or Campaign Office Phone Number: 713-921-RICK (7425)
Home Phone Number: 361-774-5195	Fax Number: 713-928-3634
E-mail Address: ray@mcmurreyforussenate.com	E-mail Address: info@ricknoriega.com
Campaign Web Site Address: McMurreyforussenate.com	Campaign Web Site Address: www.ricknoriega.com
Length of residency in Texas:
Ray McMurrey: Born March 9th, 1965. I have spent my entire life living in Texas.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: 50 years.
Occupation/main source of income:
Ray McMurrey: Teacher. Education as a secondary teacher	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Representative, Texas House of Representatives; Lieutenant Colonel, Texas Army National Guard; Manager of Economic Development, CenterPoint Energy
Current civic involvement/accomplishment highlights:
Ray McMurrey: Texas Federation of Teachers Working with low income at risk students trying to close the achievement gap in public education.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Catholic Charities, Houston Holocaust Museum, UH Alumni Life Member, Christ Church Cathedral, Harvard Alumni, LULAC Council 402, VFW, American Legion, US Army Infantry Association, Tejano Democrats, East End Chamber of Commerce, Life Member TRA
Previous civic involvement/accomplishment highlights:
Ray McMurrey: Worked on the Texas/Mexico border teaching migrant students and working for social justice and equality.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: In 2005, I served as the Incident Commander of the George R. Brown Houston Katrina Shelter Relief Effort, which provided shelter, health care and job placement to thousands of our neighbors from Louisiana who were forced to flee their homes. Highlights and awards include the Legislative Leaders in Education Award from the National College Board (2002) and the Hispanic Caucus of the American Association for Higher Education award for Outstanding Support of Hispanic Issues in Higher Education (2003). In 2002, the government of Mexico honored me with the Ohtli Award, which is presented to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent who have distinguished themselves in public service. I was named Legislator of the Year by Hispanic Magazine. I was named Distinguished Alumni by Alvin Community College and presented an honorary degree by Houston Community College System. I was honored as an outstanding public servant by MALDEF in 2006. I received the regional leadership award by the American Diabetes
Previous public offices sought/held:
Ray McMurrey: This is my first time to seek public office.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: I ran unsuccessfully for State Representative in 1992. Texas State Representative, 1999 - Current
How much funding have you raised for your campaign?
Ray McMurrey: I do not accept corporate pac money or money from registered lobbyist. My money comes ony from individual contributions from those that favor substantial campaign finance reform.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: I have raised more than $1,000,000.
Who are your top three contributors?
Ray McMurrey: Julian McMurrey Helen Green Bogdan Rentea	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Federal law limits contributions to $2,300 and I've received numerous contributions at this level. During a brief time period, I was able to raise a maximum contribution of $13,800 for the primary due to my previous opponent, Mikal Watts, triggering the so called Millionaire's amendment. I received numerous contributions at this temporary level.
Have you ever been arrested? If so, explain:
Ray McMurrey: No	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: In 1989, I was arrested for a DUI offense, and was granted deferred adjudication after completing probation and counseling. It was a mistake, I have learned from it, and I apologize for it. It was a wake-up call in my youth and I learned and matured from it.
Who should take the lead in expanding access to health care: Washington or the states? If Washington, should the federal government require employers to provide insurance for workers? Or should Washington require individuals to buy it for themselves? In return for everyone buying insurance, must insurers offer coverage to all people regardless of preexisting conditions?
Ray McMurrey: I support a single payer universal health care plan. Doctors compete privately for profit, and patients have choice picking a doctor. All decisions are made between the doctor and patient, not the HMO or medical insurance company. We can no longer allow medical insurance providers to put the health of Americans above profits.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Everyone should be guaranteed access to quality, affordable health insurance and be expected to make responsible choices in return - Washington's failure to lead on this issue is unconscionable. We can reduce health care costs by prioritizing preventive care, allowing the government to negotiate lower pharmaceutical prices, and reducing unnecessary administrative costs. In Washington I'll fight for health care delivery that emphasizes proper treatment, not paperwork and process, and provides health providers with rapid reimbursement. Financing must be a shared responsibility between the government and an individual in a way that discourages abuse.
Should Congress return to reforming immigration laws? If so, what should it do?
Ray McMurrey: We should actually enforce the laws on the books now and prove to the American people that we can control border security. Both the Canadian and Mexican border should be protected the same for consistency.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Washington has failed us when it comes to immigration. Our immigration system is broken, and we must take action in reforming this country's immigration laws. It is very possible that I am the only candidate for Senate anywhere in America who has personally served on the front lines to secure our border. I commanded the Laredo sector with the National Guard in Operation JumpStart. We need a practical solution that is fair to taxpayers and restores the rule of law. For comprehensive immigration reform to work, we must secure our borders, crack down on employers who are using this to drive down wages, and create an earned path to citizenship that requires learning English, payment of back taxes, a clean record, and for those who have abused the system, go to the back of the line. It is a matter of national security: bringing undocumented immigrants out of the shadows will provide the federal government with information that is crucial to all our safety.
How should Congress deal with climate change? For example, should it pursue a cap-and-trade system to control emissions?
Ray McMurrey: I support the Sanders/Boxer bill that cuts emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Washington politicians' failures to deliver a coherent national energy policy has hamstrung our ability to take on global warming, develop alternative sources of energy, create high-tech environmental jobs, or free ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil. We must make a serious effort to invest in clean, alternative, renewable sources of energy including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, in order to provide a greater percentage of our energy needs. Establishing a goal of achieving 20% electricity production from non-hydro renewable sources of energy, and providing further incentives for consumers and businesses to engage in energy conservation will make America cleaner, stronger, healthier, and less dependent on foreign oil. It will also allow us to regain the initiative on reducing global warming and on our stewardship of the planet.
Do you think Medicare and Social Security need reforming? If so, please be specific about which reforms you favor. For example, do you favor changing any benefit levels? Which program deserves attention first?
Ray McMurrey: We need to strenghten and bolster Social Security. If we push through single payer health care, then Medicare would be reformed as a part of the comprehensive system. We need to ensure that all teachers have access to Social Security and TRS benefits.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Efforts to privatize social security have failed, and I will oppose any effort to revisit these proposals. Congress should take appropriate action to solve the long-term solvency of the Social Security program, with a firm commitment to providing current benefits. A start would be to end Washington's current practice of using social security receipts to enable deficit spending. One important step toward strengthening the Medicare program would be allowing the federal government to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for cheaper prescription drug prices. We also ought to close the "doughnut hole" that currently exists in Medicare D program, and repeal the "45 percent trigger" that if triggered would require a cut in Medicare services.
If Congress doesn’t renew the No Child Left Behind Act, how would you guarantee schools have demanding standards? How would you make sure children are doing math and reading at grade level?
Ray McMurrey: Allow more state and local control with significant teacher involvement.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Accountability is crucial for making sure our children learn, and testing is part of accountability. No Child Left Behind measures school and student performance based only on statewide test scores. It is a flawed accountability system that emphasizes teaching to the test and diverts time and attention from broader classroom instruction. States should be given the flexibility to design accountability systems that incorporate statewide assessments with other measures; local assessments, teacher-designed classroom assessments collected over time, student portfolios, and other measures of learning. And we need to make sure schools can focus on things other than tests: more parental involvement, teaching music and other fine arts--making sure resources go into the classroom instead of into the testing bureaucracy.
Are there specific steps Washington should take to reduce the national debt?
Ray McMurrey: Yes. 1. Repeal the Bush tax cuts for the top 10% of income earners 2. Enforce the 35% corporate tax rate. 3. End the corporate welfare and subsidies/ pork barrel legislation 4. Simplify tax code by eliminating the deductions, exemptions, credits etc... replace with a progressive tax without exemptions.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Under the current watch, the national debt has increased by 42 percent, in part because Congress has failed to check the spending excesses of this administration. One of the most important things we can do to deal with the federal debt is to stop spending $177 million a DAY in Iraq, and bring our troops home quickly and honorably. The federal government can take action to end other wasteful government spending by eliminating obsolete federal programs and questionable subsidies, closing corporate loopholes, cutting special-interests earmarks, limiting no-bid contracts, and reversing tax cuts to a very small subset of the very wealthy.
What tax policies would you favor in a new administration?
Ray McMurrey: Targeted middle class tax cuts	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Tax policies that are specifically aimed at providing relief to middle-class and working families.
Do you believe the alternative minimum tax should be reformed? If so, what are your ideas for overhauling it? Should Congress replace any revenues lost from the reform?
Ray McMurrey: It should be overhauled, and made up for lost revenue by the above recommendations.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Yes. The alternative minimum tax was originally enacted in 1986 to ensure that the wealthiest Americans did not evade paying their taxes. However, over the years, the number of taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax has increased, including millions of middle class families. This is being adjusted to reflect current levels of income, but more can and should be done. As part of a larger program of middle class tax relief, we can implement reform such as closing corporate tax loopholes like the ones that reward corporations for shipping jobs overseas.
Should the U.S. reverse itself and engage in dialogue with leaders of so-called rogue states such as Iran, Venezuela or Syria?
Ray McMurrey: We can propose constuctive dialogue on our conditions and terms that open up the possibility of resolution and ensure the dignity and protection of American interest.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: The past eight years of foreign policy has demonstrated that isolationist approaches are really not productive, even with international bad actors like Syria and Iran. We need to recommit ourselves to diplomacy. I support the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's view that we need to engage our adversaries in aggressive diplomatic efforts to resolves conflicts and differences. Diminishing the United States as an international influence has not been productive in terms of the state of the world.
If the White House fails to pressure a country that egregiously violates international human rights treaties, trade accords or environmental norms, should Congress require the government to take action? Why or why not?
Ray McMurrey: Yes, the legislative branch should assert itself on a case by case basis and does possess the constitutional authority to do so.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: For too long, Congress has abdicated its role to provide checks and balances to a go-it-alone executive branch, on ANY issue, including foreign policy. I hope our next President - whoever it may be - recognizes the legitimate oversight role of Congress. If not, I will speak out forcefully and hold our executive accountable - whether the issue is human rights, trade, the environment, or any other.
What policies should the next president and Congress pursue to stabilize the situation in Iraq?
Ray McMurrey: 1. Immediate withdraw that is safe and quick with a time table. 2. International Efforts in the re-constitution of Iraq. 3. Continued financial suport in the rebuilding of Iraq. 4. The people of Iraq must take responsibility for a political solution.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: We need a new direction. This unfortunate circumstance requires a political solution and not a military one. It is time to end the war responsibly, and bring our troops home. We should lead a diplomatic initiative to help stabilize the region and it should include as many neighboring countries as possible.
What is Congress’ oversight responsibility when it comes to foreign policy? Where has it fallen short or overstepped its bounds?
Ray McMurrey: Congress has fallen way short and has abandoned it constitutional authority to declare war. It has surrendered to much to the Executive branch and not embraced the War Powers Act. It has over reached its authority in much of the Patriot Act and diminished the rights of individuals.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Congress, and the Senate in particular, is responsible for being the balance to the executive branch in foreign policy matters and must step back into its constitutional role in a vital way. Having personally served with so many of Texas' outstanding fighting men and women, I know that Congress owes them the keenest and most level-headed oversight we can provide. Over the past six years, our current leadership has refused to demand that the President change direction in Iraq, refused to exercise any oversight when it came to the conduct of the war, and refused to do anything about the astounding over-billing and underperforming services by the contractors to which we've outsourced. We have spent more than we have, and they cannot account for it.
Please be specific about where you have moved a team towards the achievement of a goal.
Ray McMurrey: I coached an inner-city urban 5A tennis team to 3 state championship appearances. We had to defeat the likes of Austin Westlake and San Antonio Churcill to get their. No HS in Corpus Christi history had ever been to state team tennis. I was told taking the job that no Corpus school would ever beat Churchill and Westlake. We broke all the records in south texas team tennis and achieved amazing results while I was the head tennis coach.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Following Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Bill White appointed me as the incident commander for the George R. Brown Convention Center. Our team pulled together the faith-based community, business, nonprofit and government communities to shelter more than 4,000 evacuees, and this group delivered services to more than 35,000 Katrina victims. We did it quickly, efficiently and with dignity and respect for our visiting neighbors from the Gulf Coast. Houston's efforts were admired across the nation and the world, and I was honored to be one of the leaders of the effort.
What political leaders do you most admire, and why?
Ray McMurrey: FDR. He was not afraid to break the mold and experiment with new ideas. He faced adversity with poise and strength.	Richard J. (Rick) Noriega: Melissa Noriega. She stepped in as a modern day Rosie the Riveter when I was deployed to Afghanistan, served in my stead for District 145, in the Texas Legislature, and she did it with grace. She was recognized as Freshman of the Year by her colleagues of the Democratic Caucus, 79th Legislature. During this time she was not just a legislator, but was also the head of our household and homemaker, mother and military wife. Since that time, she has taken on a new challenge as a result of her experiences, and been elected to Houston City Council At Large Position 3 in her own right.