Common-sense solutions that put working families first
Texas deserves better than rigged maps and "pick the lesser evil" politics. We're done playing by rules written to protect the powerful. It's time for real change that works for everyone.
Because Texas deserves better than rigged maps and "pick the lesser evil" politics.
A 9-member independent commission with no party balance nonsense, just Texans from across the state, vetted for transparency and fairness.
No more binary voting. Ranked Choice Voting gives voters more say without wasting their vote.
We'll work with the state legislature first. If lawmakers stall, Texans get to vote directly.
Raise wages. End tipping culture. Support unions. Fine companies for dishonest job listings.
"Measure twice, cut once, and finally get Texas moving."
Texas needs reliable energy that works when we need it most.
Traffic is worse, commutes are longer. Too many Texans have no choice but to drive everywhere.
Every Texan deserves clean water and internet access in the 21st century.
Every Texan deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Texas is one of the few states still refusing federal money to cover working families.
No one should have to choose between medication and groceries.
Mental health is health. Period.
Invest in our teachers, fund our schools properly, and prepare our kids for tomorrow's jobs.
Teachers are professionals who deserve professional pay.
Every child deserves a quality education, not just kids in wealthy districts.
Prepare students for good-paying careers, whether that's college or skilled trades.
Honor Their Service, Support Their Future. Texas veterans and families deserve real action, not lip service.
This platform isn't just ideas on a page—it's a blueprint for real change. Join us in building a Texas where every family has a shot at success.
Texas will raise its minimum wage to $20 an hour, phased in over 3 years. The first increase will raise wages to $15, followed by $17.50, and then $20. This phased schedule gives employers time to adjust and allows workers to gain real purchasing power. Workers between ages 16-17 will have a youth wage tier of around $15 an hour. Youth labor rules will restrict work to before 9 p.m. on school nights and after noon on Sundays.
Tipped workers will no longer have their income depend entirely on customer generosity. In the first year of transition, employers must pay at least $5 per hour in base wages. This will allow a short transition period for Texas to support small businesses by supplementing profit-loss due to increased wages. If tips do not bring total pay to the required amount, the employer must make up the difference. All businesses using tip credits must post signage so customers understand how it works. In the second year, tip credits will be eliminated. Employers will be required to pay the full hourly wage directly. Tipping will remain legal and welcome, but no longer a substitute for wages.
Businesses that raise wages ahead of the legal deadlines will receive tax cuts. Small businesses with no more than two locations will qualify for wage transition assistance to help with payroll changes without raising prices or reducing staff. Minimum wage will be tied to inflation using a transparent formula. Wages will be adjusted automatically every year to match increases in the cost of living, preventing long-term stagnation.
Digital tipping apps and cashless screens will be subject to new rules. All screens must default to 0% tipping and list that option first. Additional options must be clearly labeled, and no company may use misleading language, convenience fees, or guilt-driven prompts. Transparency is the standard.
Every job listing must include a pay range with 3 levels: base pay for partially qualified applicants, target pay for fully qualified, and higher pay for applicants with extra skills or credentials. Job ads must also disclose whether remote work is allowed. If it is not, employers must briefly explain why. Any company caught posting misleading ads or fake jobs will be fined $50k per listing and added to a public job listing integrity database for transparency.
Freelancers will receive new rights. Every contract must be in writing before work begins. Payment must be made within 14 days of completion. Late payments will result in 10% monthly interest owed to the freelancer. Any company that controls a freelancer's tools, hours, or daily check-ins will be required to reclassify them as employees. These changes do not apply to honest contract arrangements and will only target abuse.
Ghost jobs and fake listings will be banned. Every posted job must be filled within 60 days or taken down. If the job is canceled or filled, the listing must be updated within 15 days. Companies that fail to do so will face escalating fines based on revenue. Workers who can show costs incurred from applying may be eligible for reimbursement.
Staffing agencies will face new standards. Any temp-to-perm placement must be converted into a full-time role within 6 months or be reclassified. Temporary workers must be paid at least 90% of the hourly amount charged to clients. After 6 months, agencies must offer health insurance and cannot deduct hidden costs. Before removing any worker from a job, an exit interview will be required to verify safety and pay conditions. Long-term temps will receive paid time off and have access to health plans.
Wage abuse and tip theft will be criminalized. Employers who misclassify workers, misuse tip pools, or punish employees for low tips will be fined $50k and face a year-long wage audit. A second offense will result in permanent loss of their business license and disqualification from all state contracts.
Any business that requests tax breaks, grants, or contracts from the state must meet a Worker Protection Clause. That includes paying at least the state wage floor, offering predictable scheduling, and submitting annual wage reports for public access. Businesses that cannot meet these standards will not receive public money.
Remote work will be a protected right for eligible employees. If a job can be done remotely, employers must provide written justification if they deny that option. Workers will have the right to challenge and appeal that denial to a state review board. Employers are not required to pay for internet but must provide all necessary equipment and software. Surveillance tools like webcam mandates and spyware will be banned. Violations will result in fines and private legal action.
Companies that set pay rates, determine schedules, and penalize task refusals will no longer be allowed to label workers as independent contractors. App-based workers such as drivers, delivery staff, and on-demand laborers must be paid $20 an hour and receive benefits after 30 hours per week. They will also gain protection against retaliation, unsafe conditions, and lack of legal recourse.
Union rights will be protected across the state. Employers may not force workers into anti-union meetings, fire them for organizing, or monitor union activity. Violations will result in a $1m fine per offense, and the company will be listed in a public Worker Rights Accountability Report and banned from state contracts for 5 years. The list is not a blacklist. It is a tool for workers, contractors, and investors to know which companies comply with labor law.
If more than 50% of workers sign union cards, the union will be recognized immediately under a mandatory card-check rule. No elections, no stalling, and no retaliation. A state-run Union Resource Office will help workers organize legally, understand their rights, and connect with national labor groups. Striking workers will be protected from eviction, healthcare loss, or job termination during legal disputes.
Wage research shows that higher pay improves performance, reduces turnover, and cuts down on vacancies. Studies of $15 minimum wages in small businesses found no job loss and improved retention. Texas will see the same: more jobs filled, fewer training gaps, and more customers greeted by familiar faces who are proud of where they work.
Texas is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, yet the state consistently ranks in the bottom half of national performance on mental health access, job placement, and suicide prevention for former service members. The Texas Veterans Commission receives hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars but fails to deliver consistent results across regions or agencies. According to the Texas Veterans Commission and Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 1 in 10 veterans in Texas experience housing insecurity, and more than 500,000 face mental health or disability-related barriers to employment.
Our plan begins with accountability. Every veteran program funded by the state will be subject to performance audits with outcome metrics published publicly. We will tie funding to performance and eliminate duplicative programs across state and nonprofit lines.
For veterans returning to civilian life, we will mandate that all state licensing boards issue priority decisions within 30 days for veterans submitting DD214 documentation and reduce civilian equivalency delays for technical licenses. To address the rising rate of homelessness and mental illness among female veterans, we will require all state VA partnerships to develop targeted housing, healthcare, and employment benchmarks for women.
We will expand mobile veteran outreach teams and create a new broadband subsidy for rural veterans who cannot reach services in person. Finally, we will recognize the full contributions of Texas National Guard members by expanding benefit eligibility to any Guard member injured or activated under state or federal orders.
We will expand mental health access by opening 5 new regional clinics in rural areas and increase the use of telehealth backed by the VA's Community Care Network. Suicide data will be reported annually by region, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be required to track suicide attempts and intervention contacts for veterans using the latest available data.
We also recognize that families and caregivers of veterans carry much of the emotional and financial burden. We will expand caregiver benefits and respite programs through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and ensure all major VA partnerships include family access in their case management model.
Texas veterans are also eligible for both VA services and any state-level programs such as Medicaid or workforce retraining. This plan will not limit or replace those options but will ensure better coordination and faster access.
We will launch a statewide Veterans Justice Initiative that trains prosecutors, judges, and public defenders in trauma-informed procedures for veterans. Every veteran who enters the criminal justice system should be reviewed by a qualified veterans liaison trained in diversion and restorative options.
Every veteran program funded by the state will be subject to performance audits with outcome metrics published publicly. We will tie funding to performance and eliminate duplicative programs across state and nonprofit lines.