District 54 State Representative Jimmie Don Aycock, right, visits with Lampasas County Conservative Club members Ray Upp, left, and Dan Corbin, who served as moderator for Thursday night's forum. One legislative incumbent and one congressional candidate were on hand for Thursday night's Lampasas County Conservative Club forum, held in the county courthouse.

Jimmie Don Aycock of Killeen, the Republican incumbent for District 54 House of Representatives -- which encompasses the counties of Lampasas, Burnet and part of Bell - - gave a quick overview of himself and then responded to a few questions provided by audience members.

Also on hand was John Strohm of Austin, the Libertarian candidate for the 11th Congressional District. That seat is held by Mike Conaway, a Republican from Midland, who was unable to attend the forum because he was in Washington, D.C.

Aycock told his audience that he learned from Suzanna Hupp, former District 54 state representative, that conservatism is not about a single vote or a single issue. "It's about core values," he said.

Aycock also noted that an interesting fact about Texas that differs from the national government is that Texas has to balance its budget. "We've got to take the money in taxes if we're going to spend it. But taxes are not the problem. The problem is unrestrained government. When they decide to spend the money, somebody pays."

The incumbent said government spending and government growth must be restrained, and that means property rights.

"I believe strongly in the rights of a person to own or keep their property," he said. "If the government must take it under the most extreme circumstances, it must be done with very fair compensation."

Aycock said conservatism is about protecting the Bill of Rights. "I take my job very seriously, and I have a good handle on the core principles and the beliefs of the people in Central Texas.

"I cherish the values with which you send me to Austin to represent you."

Asked if he approves of the Trans-Texas Corridor, Aycock said succinctly, "It's too big, it's too expensive, we can't afford it, and I don't like it."

Aycock also stated he will not support a bill to legalize gambling in Texas, and that he backs toll roads in higher-traffic areas as a way to garner additional sources of funds for road construction.

The state representative said he also surmises that the fuel tax -- which he noted has not changed since 1993 and is assessed on a pergallon basis, not a percentage -- will have to be raised. "I hate to say it, but something has to give, and it may be necessary to change that funding."

Aycock also said that Texas accountability standards in education lead much of the nation. "Many of the problems with education that people believe revolve around schools may actually revolve around a change in the nature of families," he said.

"As family cohesion starts to decline, they lose their love for education. Until we return our families back to believing in educational prominence, it will be hard to change education."

Strohm said he agreed to run against Conaway because it gave him an opportunity to learn some things and to say some things that he feels need to be said.

"We have problems, and we need to work on those problems."

Asked if he would have voted against the government's $700 billion bailout proposal as Conaway did, Strohm said he did not read the bill in its entirety, but in general he doesn't favor bailouts. "There are things in there that do not need to be in there. I want to see something that will give people the opportunity to regain their money."

The Libertarian candidate also addressed replacing the tax code, calling it a "hodge-podge of things," and said the Alternative Minimum Tax needs to be abolished because it benefits the very rich.

He also nixed the idea of a "Fair Tax" because "it hits the lower-income families very hard. It's not a good idea."

Asked if immigration is a problem, Strohm replied: "Legal immigration is what makes this country great. Illegal immigration is the problem. Unfortunately, we don't get to select who comes in. If we can't watch our borders, that makes us a speed bump instead of a nation."

Strohm said illegal immigrants must be sent back to their respective countries. "There has to be control."

Queried about whether there should be a scheduled troop withdrawal from Iraq, the candidate said he would defer to those who see what the situation is on the ground. "At some point, our troops have to come home."