Texas is the best state in the nation, but we face some real challenges to keep it that way. Our most important challenge is to keep the state economy performing well. Texas is one of the few states not reeling from the current economic crisis, but the cracks are beginning to show. Fiscal restraint and lower taxes are a must if we are going to encourage job growth. Cracking down on illegal immigration is another key necessity to addressing the unemployment problem. We need strong conservative values in Austin to make government a servant of the people and not the people servants of the government.
There is no doubt the strength of our country is built on the immigrant experience. I welcome legal immigration to this country, but we are a nation of laws. Our government should not be advocating policies which encourage newcomers to break laws, beginning with illegal immigration. I oppose amnesty, and I believe we must strengthen border enforcement and implement an employment verification system with stiff penalties for companies who hire illegal immigrants. It does not take much time traveling outside of the United States to understand why people want to move to America and become Americans. These are the people we need to help; people who want to come to America, integrate, and become Americans. Anyone else needs to be asked the question, "If you do not want to become an American, why are you here?"
I strongly support the free enterprise market. Lowering taxes and reducing government spending has successfully driven economic growth time and again. During this economic hard time, the Texas government needs to tighten its belt and cut spending just like the families in Texas. Raising taxes, increasing regulation, or increasing spending will only weaken the economy and put more people out of work. Texas is most successful when Texans have more money to spend, and businesses earn more money they can use to invest and create jobs.
Texas must continue to drive to the goal of having the best public schools. Accountability and high standards are a must. I support school choice and vouchers. Competition always produces better quality products, higher salaries, and better working conditions, and education is no exception. Competition will lead to increases in teacher's salaries and better performing schools. It will also aide in the identification of those schools in need of additional support, training, or closure, to ensure our children are getting the best education.
I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental constitutional liberty. With local cuts in police, I support making Concealed Handgun Licenses more accessible to law abiding citizens by increasing the number of qualified instructors and reducing the licensing costs to each individual.
I believe the death penalty is one of Texas' greatest deterrents to crime. The death penalty deters criminals from moving to Texas from other states. It also deters untold numbers of crimes because criminals are aware of the severity of the consequences. The scope of the death penalty should be expanded to include all predatory criminals who have demonstrated they cannot function in our society and are a clear burden to the criminal justice system.
I support market-based environment policy to reduce pollution. Environmental policy must have a productive balance with businesses. Using a cafeteria style offering of market incentives for environmental technologies,
the market will demonstrate the most common-sense solutions to a problem. Market-based solutions keep operating and compliance costs to businesses low while accomplishing environmental objectives for Texas. I strongly oppose a national cap and trade program because families and businesses will have to bear the higher costs.
I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. In every state in which this issue has been on the ballot, citizens have overwhelmingly voted to confirm this definition of marriage. It is no different here in Texas.