Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White made a campaign stop in Brownwood on Thursday and spoke at the Texas Retired Teachers Association District XV Fall Convention talking about several state education issues.
White, the child of two teachers, told the group about the importance of good stewardship and care of the Teachers Retirement Fund. He said that the fund has only grown by 3% annually for the last ten years.
“I’ll make sure that our state government is run with integrity,” White said. “That those that are relying on state pensions know that their pensions are secure and that we move forward to make our public education in the state of Texas the best that we can and have a goal to make it the best in the United States.”
White also said that Governor Rick Perry should not be taking all of the credit for the positive growth in Texas.
“When I hear our current governor go on TV and take credit for the fact that Texas has grown, when in fact, for generation after generation it has grown faster than any other state,” said White. “My reaction is that anybody who takes credit for everything good in Texas has been governor for too long.”
White said that he will also work hard to improve graduation rates, make higher education more affordable, and run the government like a business.
“I do know hard work, and I do know what we need for this state,” stated White. “We need somebody who respects communities.”
Afterwards, he attended a short meet and greets reception at Brownwood High School.
White then recapped several issues and stressed the importance of securing the borders and providing education that gives students the skills they need to compete for higher wage jobs.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we had a governor who told the people of this state that we wanted to be the nation’s leader in a trained workforce and that begins in our public schools and that every person in the community is a part of it,” stated White.
White is the Democratic candidate for governor of Texas and was a three term mayor of Houston. He will run against incumbent Governor Rick Perry in the November 2, 2010 election.
Top Photo: From left to right, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, former Mayor Bert Massey, and Stuart Coleman speak to Bill White.
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Former Mayor Bert Massey introduced White at the meet and greet reception |
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White tours some classrooms at Brownwood High School |
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White admires a sign created by kids at New Horizons |
