PRESS RELEASE: POST DEBATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2010

Debate shows Bill White is the right leader for Texas' future
Thoughtful candidate highlights reality-based solutions

FORT WORTH -- In the first Democratic primary debate, Bill White showed Texans that he's the right governor for Texas' future. He also made a distinction between himself and his Republican opponents.

"This race isn't going to be about one party or who said what to whom in Washington," White said. "We need someone who is able to break the gridlock we have in Austin. Texans want that. Texans are tired of the wedge-issue politics and they're ready for something different."

Throughout the debate, White demonstrated an extensive knowledge of state issues from school vouchers to voter ID, giving straight-shooting answers to complex questions.

When asked about the budget, White cited his experience building businesses and serving Houston as mayor, where he inherited a budget shortfall and turned it into surpluses by scrubbing the budget and finding efficiencies.

White has said, "Texans deserve a governor who's accountable to the people he serves. As governor, I'll make sure that taxpayers are getting their money's worth."

When asked about immigration, White emphasized the need for the Texas governor to work directly with local law enforcement officials in policy-making.

Throughout the debate, White's clear priority was Texas' future, and ensuring that Texans are equipped to enter the workforce with the technology and skills they need to compete for jobs in the global economy.

White said, "I have a track record for getting things done. We need to prepare the citizens of our state to compete well and be prepared for the jobs of the future. I know how to do that. That will be my highest priority."

White also asked Texans to compare this debate to the Republican debate. He asked, "which candidate can you trust?"

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston's mayor in 2003. He was re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White's administration, Houston led the nation's cities in job growth, adding more jobs than sixteen states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White also started a special initiative to give returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches. For his compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.

Bill White met with local leaders and community members in Austin, Sun City, and San Marcos this Saturday.

At St. James Baptist Church, State Representatives Barbara Mallory Caraway and Royce West introduced Bill to the Coalition of Black Democrats.

At the Williamson County Democratic Party headquarters, White and State Representative Diana Maldonado talked with supporters about the work that needs to be done before the March 2 primary.

At the University Democrats and Central Austin Democrats meeting, on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, White answered questions from the audience.

White then visited the Texas AFL-CIO convention, met with labor supporters
and addressed union leaders from across the state.

White met with leaders of the Texas State Teachers Association.

At a rally in San Marcos, White met addressed supporters alongside State Representative Patrick Rose and Hays County District Attorney Sherri Tibbe.

Today the Austin American-Statesman endorsed Bill White in his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Noting White's track record that includes business leadership, a stint as a top official in the Clinton administration's Energy Department and successful tenure as mayor of Houston, the editorial board recommended White as the moderate leader Texans needs to lead the state through precarious times.

"We also find something comforting and confidence-inspiring in the sort of anti-charisma that White exudes. It's so, well, grown-up. It's also devoid of the unattractive overconfidence that many of today's politicians harbor as they promise us no-cost solutions to all of our high-dollar problems."

To read the full endorsement, click here.

In towns throughout the lower Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Bill White met with local leaders in education, law enforcement and health care. White, former mayor of Houston, said the state government should understand and respect the needs of local government instead of adopting one size fits all mandates.

In McAllen, White started the day talking with McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez about immigration policy. Chief Rodriguez and White agreed that state and local government should work together on border policy and on solutions that address the real problems of border communities.

In Pharr, White met with Dr. Danny King, superintendent of Pharr- San Juan- Alamo ISD. King and White discussed best practices to confront Texas' dropout rate, which is the highest in the nation. King explained that by bringing recent dropouts back to school and reaching out to students that are identified as potential dropouts, the school district's graduation rate has grown by 65 percent since 2007.

White said there is no excuse for Texas to second to last in the percentage of adults with a high school diploma and the governor should take accountability. White said, "We've cut the dropout rate in some places in Houston too, so don't tell me it can't be done. It's done with innovative educators, who just want someone to be their partner in the governor's mansion. I will commit to you that I will be that kind of governor."

While at PSJA's college, career and technology academy, White also met Alex Arenas, who returned to school last fall after taking two years off to have her son. Arenas told White that the school district helps her with childcare, so that she's able to attend class and earn a high school diploma. Arenas said that as a part of her program, she's already getting community college credit, and she hopes to attend South Texas College for medical training next Fall.

In Harlingen, White met with medical professionals at Valley Baptist Medical Center and discussed the diabetes epidemic that affects 75 percent of VBMC's patients. Doctors noted that addressing this crisis will require sustained civic leadership, and White asked the medical experts to help him develop a plan that unites employers, community organizes, religious communities, government agencies and doctors in the fight to change the behavioral causes of diabetes while ensuring early detection of the disease.

At Cameron Park, Cameron County Commissioner John Wood and other community leaders spoke with White about the needs of the unincorporated areas of the counties, which many times do not have plumbing or electricity. After their meeting, Wood told a reporter of White, "A lot of people feel like Texas stops at the Nueces River. This is the first governor candidate since Ann Richards who is really interested in this area."

In Port Isabel, County Commissioner J.J. Zamora said his coastal community needs jobs with a future. Zamora said that as the fishing and shrimping industry has decreased and the global recession has hit home, the good-paying jobs have left. White and Zamora talked about tailoring programs in local community colleges and trade schools to fit the specific needs of communities.

White said, "This is the kind of discussion that we will have when I'm governor. Real economic development is not giving one company a tax break. Real economic development is training our people with the specialized skills needed for these high paying jobs. If we could work to come up with programs through community colleges and technical schools, then we can improve workforce and attract more businesses."

The day ended in Edinburg. White's son, Will, who has been campaigning for his father in Hidalgo County since he graduated from college last May, held an event at the campaign's regional headquarters with elected officials and community members. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa introduced White and pledged his "unconditional support" for White in his gubernatorial campaign.

Hinojosa said, "Bill is here to listen to you, so take advantage of that."

A few days ago Stephanie told me she supported me because she wanted Texas to be competitive in science, so talented students, like her son, had more opportunities in jobs here. Read below what she said:

"My son, Stuart M.Chambers, Ph.D., is a fellow in human embryonic stem cell (HESC) research at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He was born in Texas, went to Texas public schools, received his undergraduate training in Biochemistry at Trinity University, and did embryonic research at Baylor Medical in Houston where he completed his Ph.D. But, when it came to doing HESC research, he moved to NYC because of the opportunities for fellowships and grant money from the State of New York. While Texas researchers receive money from the NIH (federal funds), this does not begin to support the quantity and variety of research necessary to discover information and subsequent cures for some of our most debilitating diseases. Consequently, in order to find a large, prevalent, and organized stem cell research community, Stuart will not be able to move back to Texas with his family, closer to his extended family. It is astounding to my husband and me that a state as large and resourceful as Texas is not as competitive in the sciences as it could be, were there more state funding for cutting-edge research. We need Bill White as Governor in Texas. He proved in Houston that he is pro-business, pro-science, and highly creative when it comes to solving problems. He will develop an atmosphere that encourages and retains our most innovative thinkers, rather than deterring their efforts and driving them to other states more supportive of their talents."

The Austin American-Statesman today features three articles on Bill White. The cover story, which focuses on Bill's early life, growing up in San Antonio, is nearly two months in the making. The reporters interviewed Bill's parents, childhood friends and mentors.

In the article, Bill recalls his mother grading papers until the 10 o'clock news and his father holding a job at a department store in addition to teaching.

"I learned to work hard," Bill White said. "That was just expected in our family."