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Eddie Rodriguez's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.
Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.
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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2022.

  • "A Texas Judge just declared the bounty hunt on abortions in #SB8 is unconstitutional. Abortion is essential healthcare & every one that can become pregnant deserves reproductive freedom. Texans can't wait for the Supreme Court to potentially intervene. Congress must #CodifyRoe." (twitter.com)
  • "I’ve spent my career fighting for Texans' access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion. That’s why I fought to save the Planned Parenthood health center on E. 7th when Republicans tried to close it." (twitter.com)
  • "Rep. Rodriguez is committed to protecting and expanding access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion. He has demonstrated this commitment throughout his career, going all the way back to 2003 when he stood up for the new (at the time) Planned Parenthood clinic that was being built in South Austin when it faced Republican attacks." (www.eddiefortexas.com)
  • "My take on the #txbudget: we cannot balance the budget at the expense of vulnerable Texans. The budget is a moral document & our obligation as elected officials is to invest in the economy by ensuring that every Texan has access to education, healthcare, resources, and services." (twitter.com)
  • "Public Education is one of my top legislative priorities. The #txlege will have difficult decisions to make in the upcoming session, but we must not balance our budget at the expense of our students, schools and faculty & staff." (twitter.com)
  • ""The truth is that there are ample resources to cut taxes for working families...To do so will require Republicans to stand up to their wealthy, corporate donors." #taxscam #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "During this crisis I’ve spent my time delivering PPE & helping constituents. This pandemic has shown just how porous our safety net is. We must expand Medicaid, implement paid sick leave and so much more. In the TX Senate, I will fight for an equitable recovery from this crisis." (twitter.com)
  • "In 2021, the #txlege has a unique opportunity and mandate to fix our public health system. We must expand Medicaid and establish paid sick leave. We have to tackle systemic racism in our public health system as well." (twitter.com)
  • "Reopening without universal paid sick leave is a mistake. Too many workers will be forced to decide between getting paid and getting the care they need. Reopening must be guided by public health, and that can’t happen without paid sick leave. #COVID19 #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Ahead of the anniversary of George Floyd's death, the Senate passed #HB929 which requires that police have their bodycams turned on during investigations. While the fight for justice for Floyd & others is not over, this is a crucial step towards police accountability. #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "In Texas, we need comprehensive criminal injustice reform. That means: Limit use of force policies. End Qualified Immunity. Require disciplinary accountability of officers by departments and police unions, and more. We must pass the George Floyd Act." (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "Antiquated and non-climate resilient infrastructure? I remember it all too well. Grateful for the leadership of Congressional Democrats to pass the historic infrastructure bill - which will bring billions $ to Texas as infrastructure investment and green, union jobs." (twitter.com)
  • "Last night @POTUS' infrastructure framework passed the house! I'm grateful bipartisan leaders passed this historic investment in infrastructure that will bring critical $ to Texas, incl: - $100M for universal broadband - $2.9B for clean drinking water - $3.3B for public transit" (twitter.com)
  • ""The truth is that there are ample resources to cut taxes for working families...To do so will require Republicans to stand up to their wealthy, corporate donors." #taxscam #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "I'm honored to have your support, @EdAustin_TX. From expanding free breakfast for low-income students to expanding COVID relief to schools amid the pandemic, I've always fought for Texas public schools. In Congress, I will continue to fight for Texas teachers & students. #TX35" (twitter.com)
  • "I'm honored to receive the endorsement of @RepFilemonVela for my campaign in #TX35. In the #txlege, I have successfully passed bills through Republican majority that expanded affordable housing & secured $18+billion in Covid-relief to go directly to our public schools. Adelante!" (twitter.com)
  • "Teachers shouldn't have to fundraise to afford supplies for their classroom. This is a policy failure. Privatization, vouchers, & the lie of "school choice" aren't the answers. The state must stop avoiding its duty to ensure equitable funding to public ed & #communityschools." (twitter.com)
  • "As a former Vice Chair of the Texas House Committee on Environmental Regulation and a lifelong environmentalist, I am passionate about promoting policies that advance the adoption of renewable energy sources and clean energy technologies. #TexasEnergySummit #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "I just filed three bills that seek to promote responsible gun ownership, prevent gun violence and protect survivors of family violence because good public policy can save lives. #HB1207 #HB1208 #HB1209 #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "Research demonstrates that guns make domestic and family violence situations significantly more dangerous. "Abusers with firearms are five times more likely to kill their victims, and guns further exacerbate the power and control dynamic used by abusers to inflict emotional abuse and exert coercive control over their victims," according to Everytown for Gun Safety." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "The silence we hear in the wake of the deadly Austin shooting is the sound of irresponsible lawmakers who cant comment since they just made it easier for people to buy & use unchecked guns. I'm ready to come to the table and pass gun sense legislation - who will join me? #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "During this crisis I’ve spent my time delivering PPE & helping constituents. This pandemic has shown just how porous our safety net is. We must expand Medicaid, implement paid sick leave and so much more. In the TX Senate, I will fight for an equitable recovery from this crisis." (twitter.com)
  • "Reopening without universal paid sick leave is a mistake. Too many workers will be forced to decide between getting paid and getting the care they need. Reopening must be guided by public health, and that can’t happen without paid sick leave. #COVID19 #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "Hmm...seems like there is something legislators in Austin should be focusing on more than hindering our freedom to vote, attacking teachers' free speech & trans kids, and funding a racist border wall....#txlege" (twitter.com)
  • "Another big win for our democracy this week. We can’t stop fighting until we get DACA and comprehensive immigration reform in law and on the books. " (twitter.com)
  • "Rep. Rodriguez has filed various pro-immigrant legislation. In 2019, he filed a bill (HB 4453 - 86R) that would have created a criminal offense for retaliating against a person based on their immigration status. Rep. Rodriguez has also fought to establish protections against retaliation for workers who report wage theft (HB 106 - 86R) and he has strongly supported efforts to establish programs that would provide official forms of identification to undocumented immigrants." (justfacts.votesmart.org)
  • "Since Dreamers first applied for DACA five years ago, the program has provided opportunity to over 800K young Americans. #DefendDACA #txlege" (twitter.com)
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • Despite exhaustive research, Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
  • "A trade war with MX, our state's largest trading partner, is the last thing Texas ranchers need #txlege" (twitter.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
X e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Abortions should be subject to a mandatory waiting period.
g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
Abortions should be legal within the first trimester and when the life of the woman is endangered. If woman's health is at issue, then should be allowed past the first trimester.

State Budget: Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.State Taxes: Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category, you can use a number more than once.

Slightly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Greatly Increase c) Emergency preparedness
Greatly Increase d) Environment
Greatly Increase e) Health care
Slightly Increase f) Law enforcement
Greatly Increase g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Increase h) Welfare
Greatly Increase i) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Increase c) Corporate taxes
Slightly Decrease d) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Increase e) Margin taxes
Maintain Status f) Sales taxes
Maintain Status g) Vehicle taxes
h) Other or expanded categories
Yes 1) Should state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
No 2) Should accounts such as a "rainy day" fund be used to balance the state budget?
No 3) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
4) Other or expanded principles
job training, support small/local business.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

Yes a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Texas governors?
Undecided b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Texas state senators and representatives?
No 1) Individual
Undecided 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
No 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Yes e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?
No f) Should Texas participate in the federal REAL ID program?
No g) Should the Texas Lottery be sold to a privately owned business?
h) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support the death penalty in Texas.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X d) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
e) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
f) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X g) Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
X h) Support hate crime legislation.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Support state funding of universal pre-K programs.
b) Support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students (No Child Left Behind).
c) Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
X d) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
e) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any public school.
f) Allow parents to use vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X g) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
h) Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
X i) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X j) Support allowing illegal immigrant high school graduates of Texas to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
k) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X f) Include sexual orientation in Texas anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Include gender identity in Texas anti-discrimination laws.
X h) Increase the state minimum wage.
i) Support laws that prevent employers from dismissing employees at will.
X j) Support financial punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants.
k) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X l) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
m) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc).
c) Support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops.
X d) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X e) Support funding for improvements to Texas power generating and transmission facilities.
X f) Support funding for open space preservation.
g) Limit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases linked to global warming.
X h) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

Yes a) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
Yes b) Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
Yes c) Should a license be required for gun possession?
Undecided d) Do you support current levels of enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
e) Do you support current state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
f) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
b) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
d) Allow patients to sue their HMOs.
e) Require hospitals and labs to release reports on infections that are a risk to public health, while not compromising patient confidentiality.
f) Legalize physician assisted suicide in Texas.
g) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
h) Other or expanded principles

['Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding social issues.', 'Legislative Priorities']

Yes a) Should Texas recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
b) Should same-sex couples be allowed to marry?
Yes c) Should Texas provide state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples?
d) Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?
Yes e) Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
Yes f) Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
g) Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
Yes h) Should the state government consider race and gender in state government contracting and hiring decisions?
i) Do you support affirmative action in public college admissions?
Yes j) Should Texas continue affirmative action programs?
Yes k) Do you support state funding of stem cell research?
Yes l) Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
No m) Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
n) Other or expanded principles
Please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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