The Issues

Public Education and High Education

Senator West has been a champion in Education across the state of Texas. He has serves as Vice-Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and has consistently advocated for the funding of K-12 and Higher Ed institutions. Education is the best avenue for personal upward mobility and societal economic growth which is why Senator West has lead efforts like the creation of the University of North Texas- Dallas in South Dallas. This is the first state-supported, 4-year University in Dallas which includes the University of North Texas- Dallas College of Law in the heart of Dallas. Senator West has also led the fight to increase financial aid for college students by increasing funding for the Texas grants program, providing admission to state schools through the Top Ten Percent Rule, increased support for at-risk youth programs, among other accomplishments.

Business and Economic Development

Senator West believes in ensuring we invest in the economic development of communities by ensuring we are using state resources to invest in our Texas communities ensuring as much as possible, that state money stays in Texas and with Texans. Senator West has been a great advocate of programs like the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program which helps to foster the growth of women and minority-owned firms as they seek to do business with the state. While we are supportive of the Governor's Texas Enterprise Fund, we also believe in investing and growing our small businesses so they can scale, be more competitive and help create jobs for more Texans increasing the quality of jobs and life in our communities.

On Public Safety and Criminal Justice

Senator West has been led the effort in many public safety and criminal justice initiatives. He has led legislation that placed in-car video cameras in Texas law enforcement patrol vehicles, for bulletproof vests, and for body cameras for law enforcement. He advocated for the passage of SB 30 which instructs citizens and officers on how to respond to traffic stops and other interactions. He helped pass legislation updating the Texas racial profiling law, laws to revise Texas' laws on criminal history records, laws on the ability to expunge or seal certain offenses from public disclosure, and the ability to expunge records of unprosecuted cases. He has spearheaded legislation helping with the continuation of the 75216 & 75217 projects which help with at-risk youth by reducing juvenile crime and recidivism among other achievements.