Bobby Cole

Immigration We need a governor who will stop villainizing people, and one who helps create a legal process that works for Texans and our economy. Healthcare Support rural hospitals - Provide state funding to keep rural healthcare facilities open and serving their communities. Medicaid expansion, not cuts, will solve this crisis. Defense / Veterans Protecting veterans - We as Texans have a grateful heart and legacy of sacrifice. Our state government should give these veterans all the respect and honor they deserve, but also all the support and help with restarting and sustaining their lives no matter what the cost. Education End the voucher scheme - Keep public dollars in public schools and stop diverting resources to private schools. Public schools are accountable to both state and local officials and their standards. Private schools have no such requirement and therefore should receive no public dollars. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Protecting children from violence - Bobby is a gun owner and will not infringe on your Second Amendment rights. Texas should foster an environment of safety and security, including passing legislation that most gun owners already support. Drug Policy Legalize marijuana - Support efforts to legalize marijuana and expunge low-level offenses. This will create jobs, boost local and state revenues, and help rural farmers who need other revenue streams. Taxes / Budget Fight increasing property taxes - Use the tax revenue from marijuana sales to help bring down property taxes across the state. Increase the homestead exemption and make sure the state pays its fair share. Healthcare Expand Medicaid immediately - Bring Texas tax dollars home to cover the 1.4 million uninsured Texans and save rural hospitals from closure. Years of Republican zealotry has left over 100 billion in federal health dollars unclaimed, costing hospitals, jobs, and lives. Wages / Job Benefits Raise teacher pay - Make Texas teacher salaries competitive nationwide and treat educators as the professionals they are. Environment / Energy Winterize and modernize the power grid - Ensure Texans never again face power outages during extreme weather. This is a life and death issue. Wages / Job Benefits Protect workers' rights to organize - Defend the right of workers to join together for better wages, working conditions, benefits, and a secure retirement. Wages / Job Benefits Raise the minimum wage - No one working full-time should struggle to pay rent or put food on the table. An honest day's work deserves an honest day's pay. Environment / Energy Securing our environment - We must promise future Texans that we will protect the water, air, and land. We cannot abandon renewable energy nor oil and gas, and Texas must be a leading voice in the global energy future. The grid’s reliability and resilience depends on a mix of energy sources. Education Fully fund public education - Increase per-pupil funding and ensure every school has the resources needed for success. An investment in a world-class education is essential in a state with a world-class economy. To grow and expand the future Texas economy, it will require a greater investment in our children. Abortion / Contraception Protect reproductive freedom.