Candidate Name: Gail Terrell Council

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. You can
download an editable MS Word version of this
document at the Endorsements page of our website at www.StonewallDemocratsOfDallas.org.

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 followed legal cases, the great bathroom debate and the news reports describing LGBT
harassment of students and others gay incidents.

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 life-long democrat. My voting history is democratic.

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?
Yes, by using the same aggressive media tactics to recruit personnel and business.

Would you recruit and consider qualified LGBTQ constituents for your commission and
board appointments?
Yes, I would recruit and consider qualified LGBT constituents for boards and commissions.

Will you support a Dallas City Council's resolution for a statewide ban on LGBTQ
employment discrimination?
 Yes, I would support the Dallas City Councils resolution for marriage equality and a statewide
ban on LGBT employment discrimination.
 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?

The City of Dallas should constantly review its pay scale, policies, procedures and best practices to
insure that a diverse talent pool is selected.

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

member work with the City Manager to implement such benefits?

Yes, I support comprehensive transgender inclusion health benefits and will work with the City
Manager to implement such benefits.

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 oppose any reduction in the power of home rule cities.

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?

I am not proposing any changes in the donation limit at this time.

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 do not have enough information to offer an opinion at this time. However, the financial burden
should be shared equally and fairly. Special consideration should be given to seniors.

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?

I am opposed to state legislation to regulate public facility access for transgender Texas.

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 a Housing First initiative and other public and private efforts to reduce homelessness.

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 am an advocate for paying a living wage. I have fought to find ways to bring contracts, services
and projects to southern Dallas residents and business owners.

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

I do not believe that should be the role of the local law enforcement to enforce Federal
immigration law.

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. Its the right thing to do.

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 agree there is a real need for support in local neighborhoods outside the Arts District that are cultural
deserts and District 8 is truly one. I, however, do not believe canceling or any breaching of agreed to
agreement with ATTPAC is a solution, nor progressively thoughtful enough a substantive resolution to
support small to mid-size arts groups in under invested, underserved neighborhoods as well as the
downtown area.
I, ___Gail Terrell________________, am seeking an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats of
Dallas for the
2017 Dallas City Council elections.

Signed____ ____ Date_________March 6, 2017____