PROGRESSIVE VIEWS
I would guess many folks would say that Texas’ most valuable resource is the oil and gas under our state. My answer would instead be the people of Texas.
Our workers are committed, hardworking folks. They get the oil and gas out of the ground, teach our kids, protect us and provide all the goods and services we need and desire. They make the Texas economy vibrant and successful in spite of limited support and protection from state government.
The Texas voter should do all they can to help our workers improve their lives and their communities.
The politicians we elect must maintain a top-flight public education system not weakened by siphoning off money to vouchers. Our politicians seem to think it is appropriate to hold teacher pay hostage to approving vouchers.
We remain almost $9,000 per year below the national average in teacher pay. We must improve teacher pay and provide the needed resources to our schools and stop playing political games. Teachers are also overworked.
As a result, our state is facing an educational staff shortage and retention crisis. The chronic underfunding of classrooms and increased pressure placed on educators from state mandates hurt recruiting and retention.
The legislature can also promote non-college job training and apprenticeship programs. The federal government is sending billions of our tax dollars back to Texas to build new and repair old infrastructure. We need a skilled workforce to make sure that money is well spent.
Texas does not do a good job of protecting our workers on the job. We are the deadliest state in the union for construction workers. We do not require companies to provide workers compensation insurance. Thus families are often unable to access appropriate medical care or death benefits in the event of a tragedy.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) does not do a good job for our workers because the legislature does not consider helping workers to be a priority.
We have an outdated unemployment system. We rank near the bottom nationally in the rate of those who can receive unemployment insurance benefits.
I have some experience with TWC. A friend (and his fellow workers) who drove an oilfield wastewater truck for a disposal well company found that the company owner had run off, leaving them three weeks short on pay. He asked me what he could do and I suggested we call the TWC. Unfortunately, TWC was no help at all in finding the employer and recovering the wages.
My friend and his fellow workers were forced to hire a lawyer and luckily did realize some wage recovery which was reduced by legal fees.
All Texan workers and their families deserve healthcare to keep them on the job and going to school and living rewarding and productive lives. Expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act for all Texans should be a priority, but our legislature and governor refuse to use that money.
Almost half of Texas workers don’t have paid sick leave. Texans should have the right to take earned paid leave when sick or when a family member requires care.
Texas’ current minimum wage is a ridiculous $7.25 per hour. That’s just $15,000 per year. We must elect candidates who will fight for working people, not politicians who just make rich folks richer. Time to raise the minimum wage for all Texans.
State government also loses lots of employees. Almost 19% leave each year despite some feeble attempts by the legislature to improve pay. Private enterprise typically only loses 3.5% annually. Poor pay and benefits are causing the high turnover rate which in turn contributes to a less skilled workforce.
Texas leads the nation in oil and gas and clean energy production. The legislature’s effort to stifle clean energy is short-sighted. By continuing to grow clean energy, our state will not only address the climate crisis but also provide good long-term jobs.
Driving around Texas you find lots of towns that have gone to seed because oil and gas fields have played out. Clean energy will support our communities for the long term.
To learn more, check out the Kendall County Democratic Party website: kcdems.us.
Kevin Henning is a local Democrat.
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