In many ways, Texas remains the envy of the nation.
We tend to focus on problems and deficiencies, and our state has some big ones. But when it comes to economic resilience, robust growth and the ingredients for a strong future — well, there’s a reason people are flocking here.
The credit goes to hard-working Texans taking risks and pursuing dreams. But the environment matters, and decades of business-minded government makes it all possible. Greg Abbott is the best bet to keep things humming, and we recommend voters grant him a third term as governor.
If they do, Abbott needs to do a better job applying the blessings of Texas’ position, including its eye-popping budget surplus, to building a future that leaves no Texans behind in education, health and prosperity.
Abbott, 64, has not been the monster his critics depict. He has kept the state strong economically, avoided the rhetorical and policy excesses some in his party thirst for, and dealt with a myriad of challenges often caused or exacerbated by the federal government.
His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic comes to mind. In a year when many states blindly followed national officials’ recommendations and shut down their economies and schools, Abbott, showed an independent streak. Some believe he did so too early, but getting life on track — especially for children — while protecting the vulnerable was clearly the right way to go.
On immigration and the border, we haven’t agreed with all of his steps. The Legislature needs to scrutinize his Operation Lone Star, which is wasting money and exasperating state troopers and National Guard forces. But Abbott is standing up for communities overrun by loose immigration policies, and he is forcing those who don’t suffer the consequences to look honestly at the impact of federal failures to have a secure border and a rational, humane migration system.
The power grid failure in 2021 was devastating and avoidable, but Abbott has pushed for meaningful change at ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission.
He hasn’t exactly positioned himself as former President Donald Trump’s No. 1 ally. But he hasn’t distanced himself as much as he could have from the increasingly fanatical MAGA sect of the right, either.
When specious doubts about election integrity arrived at Texas’ door, Abbott didn’t fall in with the “stop the steal” crowd. But he advocated unnecessary legislation that has made mail voting harder and given local elections officials massive headaches.
BETO O’ROURKE
Democrat Beto O’Rourke, 50, has been Texas’ “it” guy since he went from obscure El Paso congressman to nearly beating Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018. After three major, attention-grabbing campaigns in four years, there are some questions about which O’Rourke Texans would get if he wins: The unifier who wanted more voices heard in 2018? The progressive at heart who followed his party far to the left while running for president? Or the sharp critic of 2022, laying out a vision that Texas has slipped on far too many fronts?
On many issues, he’s offering sensible solutions and an openness to compromise. But it’s hard to know if he would govern that way or dig in for protracted, polarized fights.
We endorsed O’Rourke for Senate in 2018, and we agree with him on several pressing issues, including the need to cover more poor Texans under expanded Medicaid federal funding. But we’re concerned that O’Rourke would not challenge the Texas education system enough. He’d bolster funding, and we’re all for better teacher pay and benefits and more state resources flowing to schools. He’d pull back on high-stakes testing, but would the state properly measure achievement?
Texas schools are failing across the board at their basic job, and they need innovation and accountability, not more of the same.
GREG ABBOTT’S LEGACY
A frequent question raised about Abbott’s tenure is this: What’s it all about? What legacy is he building toward? He must adopt a third-term agenda that positions Texas for a future as bright as its recent past. Growth has been a blessing, but strains are showing in transportation, housing affordability and, again, the performance of schools.
Higher education must remain a priority. Employers want skilled workers, yes, but also critical thinkers. Abbott hails the push for more “Tier One” research universities, a project that has taken the University of Texas at Arlington to greater heights. Support for the potentially transformative Texas A&M University expansion in downtown Fort Worth will show how state, university and local officials can come together on efforts that foster innovation and a smarter workforce.
Abbott cannot ignore the crisis in Texas schools. He must resist, or at least temper, the forces in both parties that want to fight over the books in the library without dealing with whether most students can even read them. He must support major investment in developing and keeping the best teachers, creative approaches to reaching troubled families and new resources targeted at the schools and students that need them most.
TEXAS HEALTHCARE
And if they’re not going to expand Medicaid, the governor and his party must offer conservative solutions that get more people needed care. Rural areas in particular, communities that will give Abbott some of his strongest vote margins, are losing access to doctors and facilities. Support for telemedicine — which means ensuring better access to broadband internet — is the type of market-based policy that the state could bolster.
On social issues such as abortion and gender identity, Abbott is a hard-core conservative. But he could blunt the worst effects of policies such as Texas’ abortion ban without sacrificing his principles. We’re encouraged that he’s acknowledged the need to clarify Texas law to ensure women can get urgent treatment for dangerous pregnancies.
Abbott has guaranteed his ascension and dominance of Texas politics by never letting anyone get to his right. That’s long been the way to win in Texas; it probably will be again in 2022.
Nonetheless, his record indicates he’s best positioned to keep Texas on track. To leave a stronger legacy, he should emulate predecessors George W. Bush and Rick Perry. Both understood that economic power is only truly sustained through great education systems, a healthy population and opportunity for all.
BEHIND OUR REPORTING
Hey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
This story was originally published October 24, 2022 5:32 AM.