How They Stand on the Issues

Governor Rick Perry claims:
Economic Development- Texas has aggressive job creation, property tax reductions, and a successful strong economy. Perry takes all credit for these successes.
Fiscal Conservative- Texas overcame budget shortfall, reduced spending, and cut business taxes.
Border Security- Texas has created surge operations, transnational and gang initiative, and ranger recon.
Education- Will have increased enrollment, college prep mandatory in high school, high ranking, teacher pay raises and incentives, public-private venture, road to tier one, and affordable college.
Health Care- Texas is cracking down on frivolous lawsuits, increased access in under-served areas, protecting children, protecting most vulnerable citizens, and tough on fraud.
Environment- Texas is focusing on renewable energy and The Texas Emissions Reduction Plan.
Bill White claims:
Jobs/Economy- White plans to attract jobs with a future, educate and train our workforce, stop the squeeze on savings created by insurance rates, invest in transportation and infrastructure, and use tax dollars for incentives more wisely.
Border Security- White plans to create 1200 new law enforcement positions, obtain federal funding, use state appropriations more effectively, establish partnership with local and federal enforcement, revamp Department of Public Safety, and assist local law enforcement agencies in adopting Secure Communities.
Education- White plans to expand pre-k programs, improve career and technical education, cut dropout rates, let educators teach writing, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, and make college more affordable.
Health Care- White plans to cut health care costs for families, increase the number of covered Texans, and promote stable, community based medical practices and clinics.

Each of the candidates have these and other issues listed on their websites. Perry is working from his record and the record of Texas, while White is working from his record of being Mayor of Houston. With the issues that matter to me, Bill White wins my vote. I think that he could create a better health care system and education system. As a mother and student, I think that Texas has a long way to go for providing an admirable public education system. I had to enroll my daughter in a private school at ages 2-4 because there is not another option. White is the only one who has mentioned the expansion of pre-k programs and that really appeals to me. The one thing they I do like about Perry's stance is his plan to require college prep in high school. Lastly, I would also like to see more affordable colleges.