Beto’s Vision for African Americans and All Small Businesses in Texas
The San Antonio Observer’s Lisa Jackson spoke with Gubernatorial Candidate Beto O’Rourke (D) last week during his stop in San Antonio. With less than a week left to cast your vote in the midterm elections candidates in all races are leaving no stones unturned. Incumbent Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) is also making his rounds to close his arguments out with voters. Polls, while close, are changing daily and Beto is betting on new voters to show up. With abortion and plain democracy on the ballot the people have been charged with emotions and understand they must vote to fight for their rights and their lives.
BETO’S MESSAGE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
Lisa Jackson, with The San Antonio Observer, asked candidate O’Rourke what his message was for African Americans in Texas. With Gov. Abbott at the helm, blacks have been targets of voter suppression and intimidation not to mention being pushed out of their homes through gentrification- by not being a part of the process.
According to Beto, this will change if he is elected, “Both parties are making a really big mistake right now, in my opinion. The Republican Party in Texas is seeking to disenfranchise voters, overwhelmingly voters of color but black voters who historically have been the targets of voter suppression and voter intimidation. And I would say the Democratic Party far too often takes these same voters for granted and assumes that if you’re black you’re likely going to vote for a Democrat. So why bother to show up? We are going to break through all that. We are breaking through all that by making sure that we’re standing up for the right of every Texan to vote. Especially those who are the target of intimidation and suppression and also not taking anyone for granted.” Beto continued explaining that, “Things like redlining or over policing or disparities in the criminal justice system and incarceration are treated fairly under the law in the state of Texas. That’s going to be a great day for everybody in the state of Texas.”
“I haven’t earned anybody’s vote unless I’ve shown up, listened to, worked with and fought for that person to make sure we can work together to do something great for Texas.”
Beto O’Rourke, Texas Gubernatorial Candidate
WHAT WILL BETO DO FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND EVERY SMALL BUSINESSES IN TEXAS
With Texas being number 1 in African American businesses, in a pro business state, although the current administration under Abbott has not addressed that at all, how would Beto differ? If Beto takes the seat, The San Antonio Observer wants to know what Beto is going to do to increase business in African American communities. Beto and his team are planning on doing a number of things to ensure small businesses continue to grow and have the support to do so.
“One, we’re going to bring down the cost of doing business in Texas. Our property taxes, which all small business owners pay, have gone up $20 BILLION over the last 8 years. We have got to bring them down. We can do that through things like Medicaid expansion and upping the share of state spending for public ad in the state of Texas.”
As Beto is well aware, the comparison of white homeowners compared to black homeowners is glaring which does not help African Americans when trying to secure funding for homes and businesses. Beto continued stating, “We also have to make sure that capital is available to these small business owners and entrepreneurs. One of the challenges is the rate of home ownership among black Texans compared to white Texans is incredibly low. That means that fewer people have the ability to leverage that investment, the equity that they built up as collateral for a small business loan.”
Beto is looking to increase small business opportunities along with increasing home ownership amongst African Americans in Texas. How would he accomplish this? Beto states, “That means working with community banks and partners. That means more tax credit financing at the state level and that means more capital coming in to new entrepreneurs and supporting existing small business owners.”
One thing Beto knows as he said it himself, “I haven’t earned anybody’s vote unless I’ve shown up, listened to, worked with and fought for that person to make sure we can work together to do something great for Texas.” He has definitely checked off his entire list. Beto has fought relentlessly to ensure Texans are well represented, driving and visiting all Texas cities and towns and showing up to fight for Texans and even those who oppose him- he will fight for all Texans no matter the party or belief.
Election day is November 8th. We are hoping that every voter is well educated on all subjects and what is at stake to choose the right person to be Governor of Texas.
