Darrel Evans' Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)
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Darrel Evans has provided voters with clear stances on key issues by responding to the 2024 Political Courage Test.
Texas State Legislative Election 2024 Political Courage Test
| Pro-choice | a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support legalizing abortion when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape? | ||
| No | c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds (e.g. Medicaid) for organizations that perform abortions? | ||
| As a candidate for Texas House District 89, my stance on abortion and reproductive health is clear: I firmly believe that women must have the right to shape their own destinies and make decisions about their bodies without government interference. It is deeply concerning that recent legislation, such as Governor Abbott's "Heartbeat Bill," has stripped away critical reproductive freedoms, leaving thousands of women, including survivors of sexual assault, without access to necessary healthcare options. I support restoring reproductive rights, including access to safe and legal abortion, ensuring that women have control over their healthcare decisions. Additionally, I advocate for comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including access to contraception and fertility treatments like IVF. Texas families deserve better, and I am committed to standing up for their rights and bodily autonomy​​. | |||
| No | a) In order to balance the budget, do you support limiting state government spending on social programs (e.g. SNAP, TANF)? | ||
| No | b) Do you support a decrease in income taxes in order to promote economic growth? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support a wealth tax in order to pay for public programs in your state? | ||
| a) No, I do not support limiting state government spending on social programs like SNAP and TANF. These programs provide critical support to low-income families, ensuring access to food and basic necessities. Cutting these programs would increase poverty and harm vulnerable communities. Instead, I believe we should focus on improving these services to help people transition out of poverty. b) I do not support a decrease in income taxes to promote economic growth. Broad tax cuts often benefit the wealthiest while depriving the state of necessary revenue for essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. I believe in targeted tax relief for working- and middle-class families, not across-the-board cuts that could undermine the state's financial health. c) Yes, I support a wealth tax to help pay for public programs. Texas needs adequate funding for education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and a wealth tax ensures that those with the most resources contribute fairly. This would help reduce income inequality while maintaining the services that help build stronger communities and provide opportunities for all Texans. | |||
| No | a) Do you support capital punishment for violent crimes? | ||
| No | b) Should an individual under 18 accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult? | ||
| No | c) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police? | ||
| No | d) Do you support the use of private prisons? | ||
| No | e) Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders? | ||
| Yes | f) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use? | ||
| a) No, I do not support capital punishment for violent crimes. The death penalty is not only costly but has been shown to have a high rate of wrongful convictions, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. b) No, I do not believe individuals under 18 should be prosecuted as adults. Young people should be given the opportunity for rehabilitation, not subjected to the adult criminal justice system, which often leads to higher rates of recidivism. c) No, I do not support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police. This places an undue burden on local law enforcement and creates fear within immigrant communities, reducing cooperation with police on other public safety matters. d) No, I do not support the use of private prisons. Private prisons prioritize profit over rehabilitation and public safety, and they have a history of poor conditions and high recidivism rates. e) No, I do not support mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. These laws have contributed to mass incarceration and disproportionately affect people of color. We should focus on treatment and rehabilitation instead. f) Yes, I support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Legalization would regulate the market, reduce black market activity, and generate significant tax revenue that can be reinvested in public services such as education and healthcare | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth (e.g. grants, tax incentives)? | ||
| No | b) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector (e.g. for business or the environment)? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage in Texas? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support government spending on affordable housing projects in Texas? | ||
| a) Yes, I support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth. Strategic investments in grants, tax incentives, and infrastructure can help stimulate job creation, support local businesses, and drive long-term economic development. b) No, I do not support reducing state government regulations on the private sector, especially when it comes to protecting workers' rights and the environment. Responsible regulations are necessary to ensure public safety, environmental sustainability, and fair business practices. c) Yes, I support increasing the minimum wage in Texas. A higher minimum wage will help lift working families out of poverty, reduce income inequality, and strengthen the local economy by increasing consumer spending. d) Yes, I support government spending on affordable housing projects. Affordable housing is essential to address homelessness, reduce housing insecurity, and ensure that all Texans have access to safe, stable living conditions. | |||
| No | a) Do you support adopting federal education standards (e.g. Common Core) in Texas? | ||
| No | b) Do you support state funding for charter schools? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing teacher salaries AND/OR benefits in Texas? | ||
| Yes | d) Should immigrants in the United States who graduate from Texas high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities, regardless of immigration status? | ||
| No | e) Do you support removing diversity, equity and inclusion offices on public college and university campuses? | ||
| a) No, I do not support adopting federal education standards like Common Core in Texas. I believe education should be tailored to the needs of our local communities, allowing for flexibility in how standards are implemented. b) No, I do not support state funding for charter schools. Public funds should prioritize strengthening our public schools, which serve the majority of students and ensure equitable access to education for all. c) Yes, I support increasing teacher salaries and benefits in Texas. Our teachers deserve fair compensation and support, which will help retain talented educators and improve student outcomes. d) Yes, immigrants who graduate from Texas high schools should be eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of immigration status. These students have grown up and contributed to our communities and should have access to affordable higher education. e) No, I do not support removing diversity, equity, and inclusion offices on public college campuses. These offices are essential for fostering an inclusive environment where all students can thrive, regardless of their background. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, geo-thermal)? | ||
| No | b) Do you support state governments allowing permits for drilling on public lands? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives? | ||
| a) Yes, I support state funding for the development of renewable energy. Investing in solar, wind, and geothermal energy is critical for reducing carbon emissions, creating jobs, and ensuring a sustainable future for Texas. b) No, I do not support state governments allowing permits for drilling on public lands. Our public lands should be preserved for future generations, and drilling poses significant environmental risks, including pollution and habitat destruction. c) Yes, I support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives. Access to clean water is essential for public health, and Texas must invest in infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable water for all communities​​. | |||
| Yes | a)Do you support limiting campaign contributions from corporations, unions, and individuals? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the use of an independent or bipartisan commission for redistricting? | ||
| No | c) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls? | ||
| Yes | d) Do you support automatic voter registration? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support the implementation of ranked choice voting in Texas? | ||
| a) Yes, I support limiting campaign contributions from corporations, unions, and individuals. This will help reduce the influence of big money in politics and ensure that elections are fairer and more transparent. b) Yes, I support the use of an independent or bipartisan commission for redistricting. This approach will help eliminate gerrymandering and ensure that district lines are drawn fairly, based on the population and not political advantage. c) No, I do not support requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote. Such requirements disproportionately affect marginalized communities and can suppress voter turnout. d) Yes, I support automatic voter registration. Making voter registration easier helps increase participation in elections and ensures that more eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote. e) Yes, I support the implementation of ranked-choice voting in Texas. It allows voters to rank their preferences, ensuring that elected officials reflect the true majority's choice and encouraging more diverse candidates. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation (e.g. red flag laws, closing the boyfriend loophole)? | ||
| Yes | b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows? | ||
| No | c) Do you support the right to concealed carry in Texas? | ||
| Yes | a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support a government-run (e.g. single-payer) healthcare program such as Medicare-for-All? | ||
| Yes | c) Should an individual have the right to choose to die (e.g. those with a terminal illness) through euthanasia? | ||
| No | d) Do you support mandating vaccinations (e.g. for school or employment)? | ||
| Yes | e) Do you support expanding paid family AND/OR medical leave benefits (e.g. maternity leave)? | ||
| Yes | f) Should the government be able to regulate the cost of prescription drugs? | ||
| a) Yes, I support increasing state funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse. This crisis requires comprehensive support, including better access to treatment and rehabilitation. b) Yes, I support a government-run healthcare program, such as Medicare-for-All. Every Texan should have access to affordable, quality healthcare, regardless of income or employment status. c) Yes, I believe individuals with terminal illnesses should have the right to choose euthanasia. This is a deeply personal decision, and individuals should have the option to die with dignity. d) No, I do not support mandating vaccinations for school or employment. While vaccines are essential for public health, I believe there should be more flexibility and education around vaccine decisions. But I do think that the community should know who the individuals are that are not vaxxed and organizations should have the right to exclude them from their facilities. e) Yes, I support expanding paid family and medical leave benefits. Families should not have to choose between their health or caring for a loved one and keeping their job. f) Yes, I support government regulation of prescription drug costs. It�s essential to make life-saving medications affordable and accessible for all Texans. | |||
| Yes | a) Do you support inclusion of sexual orientation in Texas' anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Texas' anti-discrimination laws? | ||
| Yes | c) Do you support greater efforts by Texas' state government in closing gender, racial, and other wage gaps? | ||
| Improving Public Education Texas ranks near the bottom in national education rankings, and this poses a serious risk to our future workforce and economy. I will fight to increase funding for public schools, reduce class sizes, and ensure teachers are paid fairly. Investing in education is critical to improving student outcomes and closing the achievement gap. This funding can be secured by closing corporate tax loopholes and implementing a more progressive state tax system that ensures businesses and wealthy individuals contribute their fair share. I also oppose efforts to divert public funds to private and charter schools, as this weakens the public education system that serves the majority of Texas students​​. Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Far too many Texans lack access to affordable healthcare, and many are forced to choose between paying medical bills or other essential expenses. I will advocate for the expansion of Medicaid in Texas to provide coverage to millions of uninsured residents. Expanding Medicaid would bring billions in federal funds to Texas, easing the burden on state resources while ensuring that more people have access to care. Additionally, I will work to lower prescription drug costs through government regulation and support efforts to create a public healthcare option​​. These initiatives will require political will, but not necessarily new taxes, as federal funds would cover most of the Medicaid expansion costs. Economic Growth and Job Creation Job creation is key to strengthening Texas's economy and ensuring that families can thrive. I will work to attract new industries, particularly in renewable energy and technology, to create high-paying jobs while addressing environmental concerns. I also support raising the minimum wage, which would boost incomes for many working families and stimulate local economies through increased consumer spending. To support this, I would propose targeted tax incentives for businesses that create local jobs and invest in sustainable practices. These incentives could be offset by ending unnecessary corporate subsidies and tax breaks for companies that do not contribute to local economic growth​​. |
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