Jason Foglesong
Challenger for Amarillo City Council, Place 2
Foglesong/Photo by Campaign
Question: What is your age?
Answer: 36
Q: How long have you lived in Amarillo?
A: 12 years
Q: What is your educational background?
A: B.A. Political Science, SUNY Binghamton
Q: What is your occupation?
A: Teacher
Q: If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own.
A: N/A
Q: Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
A: Former Potter County Republican Party precinct chairman
Q: If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
A: jasonforamarillo.com, or facebook @jasonforamarillo
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office in 2021?
A: To bring transparent fiscally responsible governance to Amarillo
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
A: Accessibility, Single Member Districts, Saving Taxpayer Money
Q: What is your opinion on taxpayer-funded lobbying? Please explain.
A: It's not an appropriate thing to spend tax money on. The people have representatives in Austin to speak out on their behalf. The idea that anyone could use tax money to pay for a lobbyist to represent their own interests is outrageous, and the practice should be illegal.
Q: Do you support moving municipal elections to November of even-numbered years? Please explain.
A: Yes, this will save taxpayer money and increase voter participation. Increased turnout during these elections will also make it harder to sneak bad ideas under the radar.
Q: Do you support single-member districts for City Council representation? Please explain.
A: Yes, this will increase accountability and citizen engagement, while ensuring all voices are heard. The entire city is steered by a handful of well-funded people with real estate and investment interests, and the common citizens of Amarillo have no voice. This is wrong, and it's time to put an end to it.
Q: In what cases would you support efforts to raise property taxes? Please explain.
A: In an emergency situation, to repair infrastructure or ensure everyone gets the city services they're supposed to have.
Q: In the 2020 general election, did you support or oppose Proposition A ($275 million Amarillo Civic Center and downtown projects bond)? Please explain.
A: I opposed it. Tax increases, for pet projects that serve only a minority of taxpayers during a recession when so many people are struggling, are not responsible or appropriate.
Q: What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
A: The public has not had easy access to their government - and their right to speak at city council meetings (or even attend them) has been severely curtailed.
Q: Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
A: I have no attachments to any business entity, no real estate or investment interests, and am beholden only to taxpayers. I have an established career in education, and no connections or avenues to profit off of this office. As the founding fathers intended, I will serve a term or two, and leave office to make room for another citizen to stand up and represent the people.