NBC 5 is partnering with The Dallas Morning News, KERA and Telemundo 39 to produce in-depth reports about the race for Texas governor. We asked our viewers, readers and listeners to vote on the topics most important to them. For five days, we will report in-depth on each of those topics: education, immigration, health care, economy and infrastructure.
The fourth report is on the economy. Click here to see our report on Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Texas has created millions of jobs over the last decade and unemployment is below the national average.
NBC 5 asked State Sen. Wendy Davis asked why voters should abandon Republican leadership in a time of unprecedented growth.
She says despite the economic growth, Texas tax dollars aren't being invested smartly.
"I will continue to make sure that Texas is a low-tax, business friendly state," she said.
Wendy Davis says it's time for a change in leadership, and argues tens of millions of dollars are going to businesses owned by Republican campaign contributors with little oversight.
Politics
Politics from around the world.
"These are tax dollars. Public tax dollars, that we are talking about. Greg Abbott and Rick Perry have shown for years that they're using these tax dollars to support their insider friends," she argues.
Davis also says too many Texas families struggle to make ends meet, despite working full-time jobs. That's why she wants to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour.
"It's important for Texas families to raise the minimum wage and it's good for the Texas economy. Right now, there are 2.8 million Texans who would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage. Over half of them support families," she said.
Davis speaks from personal experience, and said no parent working a full-time job should struggle to feed her children.
"Earning $15,000 dollars a year is not enough to support a family. And having been someone who stood at the grocery checkout and had to put food back because I couldn't afford to pay for it, I know there are families across this state that are suffering that same situation and deserve higher pay."
She's against raising taxes, though isn't saying specifically where the money would come from in the budget to fund her education platform and other goals. She said it can all be achieved within "existing resources" like the rainy day fund and other revenues.
"I will fight to close outdated tax loopholes that benefit giant corporations and send that money instead to fund our public schools," she said during the first debate.
Davis also says expanding Medicaid is good for Texas' economy.
"Texas needs a governor who's going to bring that money back to our state and put it work in our economy and for our health care needs. It's predicted it would create 300,000 jobs per year. We can't turn our back on that any longer," she said.
As Governor, Davis says she'll require all Texas Enterprise Fund grant recipients to hire veterans.
She also wants to sign the Texas Equal Pay Act to close the pay gap between men and women.
CLICK HERE for a special 5 Days in October section from The Dallas Morning News.
