Texas governor candidates Abbott, Davis talk education, immigration

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Pool photo: Andy Jacobson/The Dallas Morning News

Texas State Sen. Wendy Davis, right, the Democratic candidate; and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, left, the Republican candidate differ significantly on important issues to the business sector.

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Bill Hethcock

Staff Writer- Dallas Business Journal

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A state judge ruled in August that the Texas Legislature has "failed to meet its constitutional duty to suitably provide for Texas public schools."

College costs are skyrocketing.

Businesses are complaining that they can't find enough college-educated workers to grow in an increasingly high-tech economy — especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

And the struggle to balance the employment of workers essential to Texas companies with the need to secure the border continues to perplex businesses and politicians alike.

Against that backdrop, here's a look at where Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis stand on the issues of public education, immigration and higher education.

You can also find their stances on other issues here and in this week's print edition.

PUBLIC EDUCATION:

Q: What should be done to fix the public education system and fund it adequately and equitably?

Abbott: The best thing to do would be to implement my Educating Texans plan. As governor, I will begin the process of reinventing and advancing education in Texas from pre-K all the way through higher education. Our goal should be to have the beset public education system in the country. My plan invests additional funding in education, but most importantly, it leads to better outcomes. With better student results, enhanced teacher training, improved access to technology, and with strategic funding improvements, my plan does more to advance students in all regions of the state.

Davis: I will invest more – not less – in our schools and cut administrative costs and bureaucratic waste to put more money into the classrooms. While my opponent is defending $5 billion in cuts to our public schools, I will restore the education cuts recently made to Texas schools and will ensure every child has access to full-day pre-kindergarten. Just as I did in the senate, I will continue fighting for less standardized testing and more teaching with the resources needed to do it.

Bill covers health care, law, education and general assignments. Subscribe to our email newsletters.