2022 Texas Governor Voters Guide

Ban. Signed a law that bans abortions once a heartbeat is detected (typically around 6 weeks), does not allow exemptions for rape or incest, and allows private citizens to sue anyone who helps a woman get an abortion.

Legal. Would restore “women’s freedom to choose.” Texas abortion laws are about “power and control over women.” “Trust women to make their own decisions about their own healthcare.”

No. “The world is reeling from spiraling fuel costs caused by premature over-reliance on renewable energy.” “The Green New Deal would be a deadly deal for the United States.” Recent Biden climate measures show “extreme hostility toward the energy industry.”

Yes. Would invest in “geothermal power generation, hydrogen-fueled energy, offshore wind, solar generation, energy efficiency.”  Seeks to reduce emissions from oil and gas and implement other emission reduction strategies.

Yes. Allow parents to send children to any public, charter, or private school, “with state funding following the student.”

No. Opposes publicly funding private schools. School choice is “a ploy to funnel funds reserved for public education into private schools.”

Signed law banning the teaching of critical race theory. Joined a Republican legislator’s investigation of books that cover race, gender and sexual orientation in Texas public schools.

“Racism is endemic in our country.” Focusing on critical race theory is “distracting us from real problems.” Would “teach the version of whatever history that’s most accurate and honest.” “Our kids in middle school…are strong enough to learn the true story of this country.”

Yes. Recent laws “have made the power grid stronger and more resilient than it has ever been.” Grid is now “stable, resilient, and reliable,” though could see localized outages.

No. Ties grid failures to the influence of the oil and gas industry. Would weatherize Texas grid, connect it to national grid, and expand energy efficiency and renewables.

Less. Signed bills ending gun possession license requirements and allowing concealed carry on college campuses. “Laws…that limit the owning and using of firearms…have not stopped madmen from carrying out evil acts on innocent people.“

More. “You don’t need an AR-15 to defend yourself and your home.” Repeal the Texas permitless gun carry law and require safe gun storage and private sale background checks. Pass red flag laws allowing temporary removal of guns from people deemed dangerous to others.

Mostly no. Didn’t expand Medicaid under the ACA, though secured federal non-Medicaid health funding  and extended Medicaid coverage for new mothers by 6 months. Blocked local COVID mask mandates.

Yes. Would expand Medicaid in Texas and create a state-sponsored scholarship program to address the nursing shortage. Regarding COVID masking, would “get out of the way of local businesses who want to protect …employees and…customers.”

Created Operation Lone Star, sending state troopers and National Guard to patrol the border, spending $3 billion on border security. Signed “sanctuary cities” bill, penalizing cities and punishing local law enforcement who don’t comply with federal immigration law. No recent DACA; seeks to challenge the Supreme Court decision compelling states to give free public education to undocumented children.

Opposes Operation Lone Star as disruptive. Wants  “a legal, orderly immigration system” including upholding asylum laws. Continue the order that turned away migrants to control COVID-19 until border communities are more prepared. Wants a path to citizenship for DACA recipients.

Harder. Sees workers as facing “union coercion.” Supported legislation ending automatic deduction of union dues for government employees. As attorney general, supported Texas’s “right-to-work” status, where employees in a unionized workplace do not have to pay union dues.

Easier. “Unions have always been among the best political advocates for working people.” “Will partner with the Texas labor movement.” O’Rourke’s campaign team has unionized; a campaign spokesperson said, “We’re proud to be walking the talk.”

Limit. Recommended changing laws to allow social workers to refuse services to LGBTQ people. Ordered child abuse investigations of families of transgender children receiving gender-affirming care.

Expand. “As governor, I’ll expand civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Texans.”  Would “defend against these attacks coming at the LGBTQ+ community and transgender kids.”

Ban with lower penalties. Reduce criminal penalty for possession to a Class C misdemeanor but don’t legalize.

Legal. Legalize marijuana and expunge records of those arrested for possession; use savings to invest in public schools and teacher salaries.

Keep. Abbott spokeswoman: “$15 minimum wage would put a boot on the neck of small businesses.“ In 2015 called a plan to raise the wage to $10 a “job killer.”

Raise; amount unclear. “The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 an hour—not enough to pay rent, put food on the table, or take care of your kids, without working a second or third job.”

Would pardon police officers charged with assault in May 2020 protests. Appointed indicted officer to police regulatory agency. Cities reducing police funding must get approval of state Public Safety Office.

“Support good police officers and protect the public by holding bad officers accountable. We shouldn’t have to bargain for police accountability, it should be guaranteed.”

Yes, for specific groups. Designated part of Covid relief funds toward loan repayment for nurses. Signed bill providing up to $20,000 to Texas police officers to help repay loans.

Yes, for specific groups. Supports forgiving “all student loan debt for public school educators” and debt forgiveness programs to attract doctors and improve rural health care.

Less. “TX has no corporate or income tax & low regulations, which leads to more jobs.” In 2015, cut state business franchise tax by 25 percent.

More. “I’ll reduce property taxes for families and small businesses by ensuring corporations finally pay what they truly owe.” “Wealthiest… should be asked to pay a greater share.”

Tighter. Signed law that bans 24-hour and drive-through voting and gives partisan poll watchers more access. Prevents local efforts to expand voting options; sets possible criminal penalties for helping others to cast their ballot.

Looser. “Will pass online and same-day voter registration, expand eligible forms of voter ID, reduce obstacles to voting by mail, expand access to polling sites, and establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions.”