On the Issues
Public Education
Abel will continue the hard fight to properly fund our public schools. In order for our children to have the opportunity to receive a first-rate education, we must support our public schools with appropriate funding. For too long, many of our public schools have been starved of the adequate resources to retain and attract the best and brightest teachers, reach a student-teacher ratio that benefits students, and properly maintain and upgrade infrastructure. Abel filed legislation to address these concerns and will continue to do so until all of our public schools are equipped with the resources needed to give students an education that will allow them to reach their potential regardless of zip code.
Veterans and Active Duty Military
The State of Texas must do all in its power to honor our brave men and women of the armed forces during active duty and at home. Abel’s “Support the Troops” legislation—HB 285, HB 1808 and HB 1809—will provide much-needed financial relief to our soldiers. Specifically, HB 285 would prevent collectors from collecting debts during a period of one’s military service if they are experiencing financial hardship as a result of their activation. Furthermore, HB 1808 and HB 1809 would go further to provide financial support by increasing the homestead exemption and continuing relief for our injured soldiers. Those financial worries are best left to civilian life, not carried like a heavy load on the backs of those putting themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. Texas must take a leadership role in passing legislation that truly supports our troops.
Higher Education
The long-term economic health of our area requires a workforce that is equipped to compete in a global economy. Access to higher education has long been the engine of middle class mobility. But the doors to college education are closing as hardworking families are unable to afford skyrocketing costs from tuition to textbooks. We must provide cost relief so that families can afford to provide their children with an education to succeed. Abel supports freezing college tuition for students who are unable to graduate on time, limiting increases in textbook costs, and providing additional funding for scholarships.
Healthcare
Reliable, adequate and affordable healthcare remains a top priority for Abel. Texas consistently has among the nation’s highest numbers of uninsured citizens. Abel was instrumental in passing measures that partially restored funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has allowed for thousands of eligible children to obtain health insurance. Additional restorations are still needed for CHIP and other healthcare programs that were cut in 2003. Abel supports additional legislative steps toward eliminating health care disparities.
Environment/Energy Resources
The energy industry has long been an important piece of the Texas economy. Clean air and safe drinking water must not be taken for granted. We must move toward smart choices including cleaner, alternative energy sources, energy conservation and technological advances to allow us the capability to store energy.