Energy
As a businessman, Michael led the development of Horizon Wind Energy, now a multi-billion dollar wind energy company that is the third-largest in the country. By the end of the year, it will meet the energy needs of nearly one million American homes. As an energy expert, Michael understands the need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by increasing production of all domestic sources of energy, from oil and gas, to renewable technologies. Michael recognizes that increased investment in energy will mean economic growth and good-paying jobs for Houston. With gas prices soaring, we are facing a serious energy crisis. But Washington is involved in a dialogue of the deaf, with neither side capable of breaking through the partisan gridlock to adopt an energy policy that makes sense. It's time we elect someone to Congress who understands the energy business well enough to know how our energy policy needs to be changed. Michael understands how important it is to reduce our dependency on foreign oil, to invest in renewable resources, and to concentrate our efforts on increasing energy efficiency. He believes we should open new areas to drilling and strongly opposes a windfall profits tax on oil and gas companies. He is committed to being an outspoken leader on energy and a tireless advocate for a new energy policy. To read Michael's Energy Plan, click here: Energy Plan (PDF 10mb)
Economy
With skyrocketing gas prices, a weakening dollar, and a crippling housing crisis, there is no doubt that the country is facing a recession. As a successful businessman, Michael Skelly understands the global economy. He has created hundreds of jobs here in Texas, has managed a global supply chain and has had direct experience with international markets. Michael believes that decreasing our dependence on foreign oil will help strengthen the dollar and boost our ailing economy. He is a strong advocate for a balanced budget, recognizing that passing on our debts to future generations will do nothing to stabilize our economic condition. As a Member of Congress, he will fight to keep our nation on solid financial footing and will invest taxpayers' money wisely. Michael recognizes that smart investments, in areas like education, can provide substantial returns, as long as those investments are made responsibly. Because he understands how to get ahead in the world economy, Michael will be able to help the United States find the right balance between today's urgent needs and tomorrow's vital investments.
Wasteful Spending
If elected, Michael will refuse a pay raise until the federal budget is balanced. As a businessman, Michael understands the importance of balancing a budget. He believes that wasteful pork-barrel spending is out of control, and that earmark abusers in Congress should be held accountable. As a Member of Congress, Michael will work across party lines to put an end to deficit spending. He will call for a redeployment out of Iraq, which has already cost hundreds of billions of dollars and is still costing American taxpayers more than $10 billion every month. Michael believes what any good businessman would: we cannot continue to pay for things with money we don't have.
National Security
Since 2001, al Qaeda networks have grown larger, the number of al Qaeda-related terrorist attacks worldwide has increased, and al Qaeda forces and the Taliban have gained strength in Eastern and Southern Afghanistan as well as Western Pakistan. To address this problem head on, Michael believes we must enhance our special operations capacity to confront this new enemy. He also believes we must reform our intelligence community to be more flexible and responsive to terrorist threats. In order to ensure our safety at home, Michael believes we must focus our Homeland Security resources on improving security at our borders, our airports, and especially our ports, including the Port of Houston. Michael believes that national security comes from national strength, and that the only way to ensure our national strength for the long term is by making certain that our country continues to grow and prosper.
Iraq
The Iraq War has been badly mismanaged. Politicians in Washington ignored the advice of top generals and went to war with too few troops, disbanded the Iraqi Army, and failed to close off the border with neighboring countries. Congress has written a blank check with no accountability, and no-bid contracts have been accompanied by costly waste. The $10 billion a month cost of the Iraq war is untenably high. Michael believes we should conduct a safe and responsible redeployment out of Iraq, both because it is the right strategic decision from an international security perspective and because it will significantly reduce government spending.
Health Care
Every year at his company, Michael had to sit down with his health care insurance provider to go over the cost of insuring his employees. Each time, deductibles went up while the level of service went down, and Michael had to explain that to his employees. He's not alone. He understands how hard it is for small and mid-sized companies to provide health insurance every year, and he knows that the rising cost of health care is making American companies less competitive. He believes, first and foremost, that we need to expand SCHIP to make sure that every child has health insurance. Then we need to make sure Medicare can negotiate cheaper drugs prices and we need to allow for drugs to be imported at cheaper prices. Michael believes that we must focus on reining in costs and investing in preventative care, which will decrease overall health care costs and save taxpayers' money.
Education
As a father of three children, Michael believes that if we can't get education right, nothing else will matter. As a businessman, he believes that the government should make investments that have a substantial return. That's why Michael will make education a priority. Michael believes the federal government should set high educational standards, but he believes those standards must be broad, so as to avoid teaching to a test. Michael is a strong supporter of high quality charter schools. In higher education, he supports increasing the availability of student loans and Pell Grants to make college affordable for more Texans.
Transportation
In the energy business, Michael oversaw infrastructure investments worth several billion dollars. He knows what it takes to carry out complex projects, and he will use that experience to improve Houston's transit system. He will work with Mayor White to bring a light rail system to Houston to alleviate the nightmarish traffic problem that continues to get worse daily. He recognizes the need for a multi-faceted approach to transportation challenges, including a range of options from new roads to public transportation. Gridlock impacts the quality of life of every Houstonian. Michael believes the people of Houston deserve elected leaders that will make transportation a priority. He will work closely with all stakeholders to see this challenge resolved.
Taxes
Michael will not raise taxes. He believes tax cuts can increase revenue by promoting economic growth. He will support tax cuts that target job growth, infrastructure investments, and families. He acknowledges, however, that in order to ensure our financial well-being, we must cut government spending, including redeploying out of Iraq, which is costing hundreds of billions of dollars that the federal government does not have and cannot afford. He does not support a windfall profits tax on oil and gas companies.