FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rebecca Acuña

Office: 512-478-9800; cell: 956-206-5853

State Party Platform Comparison on Key State Priorities

Austin – The Texas Democratic Party today issued the attached “Fact Sheet” comparing policy positions in the State Democratic and Republican Party platforms on key issues that affect the everyday lives of hard working Texans.

“We embrace the diverse communities that make up our state while Republicans are using their platform for fear mongering and to shore up support from extremists,” said TDP spokeswoman Rebecca Acuña. “Our Party and our platform reflect Texas. Republicans are grasping to the past and are once again on the wrong side of history.”

Democrats oppose any effort to repeal health care protections, believe all Texans should have access to affordable, quality care, and that small business owners should receive tax credits to make employee coverage more affordable and dependable.

“Democrats believe women and not politicians should make their own health care decisions,” said Acuña. “Republicans want to take us back to a time when being a woman was considered a pre-existing condition.”

The fact sheet cites several other specific policy differences between the platforms, including: women’s health, marriage equality, class size limits, protecting Social Security, the minimum wage, sales tax increases, and voting rights.

“We believe all families should be treated with equal respect and have full protection under the law while republicans support inequality and discrimination,” added Acuña.

The Democratic platform plank on immigration calls for the protection of the Texas DREAM Act, urges passage of the federal DREAM Act, and offers a balanced policy for comprehensive federal reform that demands secure borders and a path for qualified individuals to earn citizenship.

“Texas Democrats support common-sense immigration policies like the DREAM Act. Republicans want to create a permanent underclass among immigrants.”

“One of our highest obligations as a state is to ensure that our elderly receive the care and resources that they have earned,” said Acuña. “Republicans want to end social security as we know it and take a crucial life-line away from our seniors.”

You can read the TDP Platform in its entirety here.

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