Mike Collier supports property tax reform, opposes gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement, and supports policies that would close the income inequality gap. His commitment to affordable health care for Texans, a top priority for Indivisible Austin, was a deciding factor in our endorsement.
Expanding health care for all Texans is an urgent need. Texas has the highest rate and highest number of uninsured people, including children (new data will be released this week—it could get worse). Nearly 17 percent of Texans don’t have health insurance—TWICE the national average of 8.8 percent. Ten percent of children don’t have health insurance.
The state’s current leadership has proven time and again its hostility to solving the state’s health care problems. Why would we expect any solutions if they’re re-elected?
Two things in Texas are inextricably linked: property taxes and school funding. For years the legislature has starved our schools by failing to adequately fund public education from state revenues, while forcing local governments to raise taxes to make up the difference. Mike Collier is the lieutenant governor we need to solve these problems.
After the school shooting in Santa Fe, the Texas Legislature had an opportunity to enact life-saving policy changes—and they blew it. When the incumbent Lt. Governor came out against any solutions to gun violence, the committee studying the issue failed to recommend a “red flag” law. Collier supports common-sense gun legislation including improved background checks and red flag laws.
On immigration, Collier opposes hateful legislation like SB4, and supports “a path to citizenship that is efficiently, fairly, and consistently administered.”
Since our initial primary endorsement, we’ve watched Collier and his campaign gain momentum. The Lt. Governor’s race is absolutely winnable, and extremely important for the future of Texas.
Incumbent Dan Patrick, with his fervent desire to discriminate against immigrants and the LGBTQ community and to restrict the economic security of all Texans, must go, and Collier is our pick to defeat him.