Candidate Name: Kim Welch

Council District: 14
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 have friends that are gay and married in New York. I have visited
the gay community and when I was younger enjoyed the Dallas gay
scene. I have had highschool friends that were gay who died of
AIDS. Scott and Tim. Both beautiful people. I dont know what
youre looking for here. I am a member of the community as in one
of the LGBTQ but most important is I am a fighter and I will fight for
your (our) rights to the best of my ability.

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?

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 use my skills and talents as a publisher in the entertainment

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

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

We should have events and seminars that support the community.

Do you support comprehensive transgender inclusive health benefits and as a council

member work with the City Manager to implement such benefits?

YES

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 absolutely oppose. I will study this issue and join with others in support of any legal
action that we can take to maintain our home rule.

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?

This is very unfair to me and should be changed. I will work harder than the
incumbent and I care more and I can do a better job but not as many people are going
to know because he has donors giving him bigger checks.

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 think this is in the hands of Texas House Pensions Committee Chairman Dan Flynn at
this point. I think we should pay our police competitive salaries and I dont think we
should claw back money. I dont support increasing taxes. I do support other means like
taking some of the Dart budget and other ways of fundraising.
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?

Yes

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 do support housing first but we need to go much further. We need to do something

like what was done in New York with SORs and Alternative solutions with facilities
that will get the homeless the help they need. Many are addicts and other have
mental problems. We can do a much better job than we are now.

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?

Yes and we need to do more studies so we can better understand the needs of the
Citys low income citizens.

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

None.

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?

Yes and I think we need to do more. Maybe we can register them and give documents
or file a class action law suit to stop deportation.

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 of course. There are many reasons but number one is being human but we cant
have people afraid to call authorities and use health services and education for their
children. We have to make them safe.

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?

Being the publisher of StudentFilmmakers magazine for over 14 years. There is a

huge list of professors and professional filmmakers that love it. and many years not
making a profit and working on it for the students and professors who love it I say I
love the Arts and will do everything I can to support financially and promote with my
skills. I think we should make the museums donation based like in New York with the
Met. Its recommended that you give 20 bucks but you can give as little or as much as
you like. Ours is free now. That money could go to supporting the neighborhoods and
downtown Arts

"I have known Kim Edward Welch from before he moved back to Dallas. He published two national publications that serve filmmakers
around the world. His experience of running these publications will help him be a great City Councilman understanding the needs of
the community and finding concrete ways to help. I believe he can be a big help and a major addition to the city and his district."
~Bart Weiss, Professor at University of Texas at Arlington, Award-winning Film/Video Producer, Director, Editor, M.F.A., Columbia
University

I, Kim Welch, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas for the 2017
Dallas City Council elections.

Signed___________________________________ Date__________________________