Meet Keith Henry

Keith Henry is the only candidate in the district 23 race with fiduciary experience at all levels of government. While at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Mr. Henry managed a $50 million federal funds portfolio. Correspondingly, at TCEQ, Mr. Henry created a fiscally salient plan to ensure all employees under his purview kept their jobs during the recession. During my tenure at the City of Austin, Mr. Henry managed a $20 million workforce development initiative that augmented economic growth throughout the Austin area by providing individuals with equitable access to livable wage jobs and health care. More notable, Mr. Henry was the contract manager for the first African American health clinic in historic east Austin, providing essential access to health care to underserved constituents. Moreover, as a Texas City Commissioner of District 1, the Commission’s members managed a $172.4 million dollar budget surplus. Additionally, the Commission reduced property and sales tax to historically low levels. Additionally, the Texas City, City Commission dedicated Federal Funds to constituents for home improvements and increased the police and fire budget by adding more first responders to the city’s payroll. Furthermore, we dedicated funding from the Texas General Land Office to essential infrastructure and mitigation projects, and markedly, the projects mentioned were all adopted at no additional tax burden to our citizens. Moreover, we are fortunate to have an excellent employment rate on the coast. As globally, the Greater Houston region is the 23rd wealthiest economy. Notably, the industries most responsible for our economic prowess are our leading world-class ports, eminent refineries, and renowned medical research centers. Specific to District 23, the port of Texas City petrochemical complex boasts an annual economic impact of $16.2billion (about $50 per person in the US). Additionally, the port of Galveston provides an annual economic impact of $2.3billion (about $7 per person in the US). While statewide, the University of Texas Medical Branches’ (UTMB) the yearly economic impact is $3.3 billion. Correspondingly, our coastal economy is the fiscal lifeblood of our state, and our citizens and economy must be protected. Therefore, ensuring prudent allocation of the congressional approved $31billion Ike Dike Project to Galveston and Chambers County is essential to our economy.