The Great Bill White Hope
By Stephen Raines
Attorney Bill White the former mayor of Houston & Deputy Secretary of Energy for President Bill Clinton decided last December to make a run for Governor. The Democrat faithful applauded heartily and endorsed him immediately. White brings Democrats a candidate for Governor not seen on their side of the aisle for some time; he has a solid election record proven credentials in executive service and the ability to raise money.
He has been elected mayor of Houston twice with margins of 86 and 91. During his time as mayor the Houston area led the nations cities in job growth adding more jobs than sixteen states combined.
During his years as mayor White reformed municipal pensions reduced traffic delays and cut energy consumption and increased services to parks libraries and health clinics.
Hurricane Katrina and the response from the mayors office brought great recognition for White through his mobilization of more than 100000 Houstonians in the public private business and faith-based communities to help evacuees.
As a former businessman and practicing attorney White claims to know what it takes to meet a payroll and make hard choices.
White claims Texas has the highest rates of homeowners insurance in the nation. He promises to choose appointees at the Department of Insurance who will serve the people of Texas by attracting a competitive group of firms offering more competitive rates.
Like some of his opponents White promises to end the Trans Texas Corridor and downsize the Department of Transportation allocating more dollars out of the Austin office.
White believes the next Governor should use our tax dollars for economic incentives more wisely. In contrast he points out the incumbent Governor has given tens of millions in tax dollars to firms like Countrywide Financial the failed subprime lender based on promises to expand jobs in the future and has not received the dollars back when the firms fail to perform.
On education White promotes voluntary summer enrichment programs better compensation and recruitment in order to attract and retain great educators broadband access and computer skills to all students at significantly lower costs by using new technologies and a 25 increase in engineering degrees to add $4.7 billion and 50000 jobs to the Texas economy in 15 years.
To reduce dropouts White believes in multiple pathways to high school graduation.
On higher education White promises to work to make both two year and four year programs more affordable. Texas students should have an opportunity to pay little or no tuition with a public service commitment after school. He also supports developing more Tier I universities.
White has been a nationally recognized energy expert for decades pushing for practical measures to reduce Americas dependence on foreign oil with higher fuel economy standards for cars aggressive energy efficiency programs more production of domestic natural gas and greater reliance on domestic renewable resources.
Previously he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States where he helped diversify national energy supplies. White hopes to bring these same kinds of energy reform to Texas including increased energy efficiency through education and incentives.
On the environment White promises to change the process through appointments to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that show respect for consumers public health and a fair open process.
Through each speech White carefully has criticized the record of the incumbent without laying out specific examples. That may work in the primary but he will need to add specifics and examples to his criticisms if he hopes to persuade Texas voters to choose him in the fall.
The challenger in Democratic Party primary continues to be ignored by White. Clearly the campaign believes the nomination for governor is delayed only by time and the real opponent will come from the Republican Party and possibly the incumbent.
Campaign finance records show White raised $6 million last year. No Democrat statewide candidate has produced those kinds of funds outside of their own bank account in many years.
Democrats hope to have Governor Perry as the opponent. They believe they have the right candidate against the right foe to enable them to win the governors race for the first time in 20 years.
If you prefer a governor tough on environmental polluters and insurance companies high on affordable high education and incentives public education teachers multiple pathways for high school graduation with experience running one of the nations largest cities White should receive your vote.
If you are a Democrat hoping for a chance to finally win the race for governor Bill White is the great White hope.
