Lubbock can #CountOnCornyn!
In addition to delivering millions in COVID relief, Senator Cornyn has been a supporter of many issues important to the South Plains. Below is a snapshot of his record on important issues and efforts to support Texans in Lubbock.
AGRICULTURE
Farming and ranching are sewn into the fabric of Texas history, and agriculture remains a driver of the Texas economy. One-in-seven jobs in Texas are related to the agriculture industry, and Senator Cornyn knows that “In Texas, cotton is still king.”
That’s why Senator Cornyn supported passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and strongly supports a repeal of the Death Tax, ensuring family farms continue to thrive and strengthening America’s food independence. During his time in office, he’s led several initiatives that:
- Reduce overreaching regulatory and tax burdens for Texas farmers and ranchers
- Secure assistance to mitigate, respond and recover when disasters strike
- Ensure farmers and ranchers can compete in a global market
- Increase access to water for rural Texas agriculture
Senator Cornyn has also been a leader in fighting to secure water for rural Texans. In particular, he has worked to ensure Mexico meets its obligations as set forth in the 1944 bi-national Water Management Treaty to release one-third of the water from its Rio Grande tributaries and reservoirs to the United States for agricultural and municipal use. And when crises occur, such as severe drought, Texas ag providers know they can count on Senator Cornyn to work to deliver disaster assistance.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE/USMCA
As the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance says: Lubbock is “located in the middle of everywhere.” Transit and trade are core drivers of the North Texas economy. Earlier this year, Senator Cornyn supported the passage of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) — an economic boon for Texas. The new agreement will provide greater access to global markets for Texas agriculture businesses and fortifies Texas’ ability to export oil & gas. In fact, in 2018, Texas exported more than $10.8 billion in oil & gas and $22.8 billion in petroleum and coal products to Canada and Mexico.
SCHOOL CHOICE
School choice empowers parents to choose the setting that best fits their child’s unique interests, learning style and educational needs. While education is rightfully managed at the local and state level, our entire country has a stake in ensuring we are raising highly educated, analytical, well-rounded citizens.
Hundreds of students and families in Lubbock are served by charter schools. Designed to be educational laboratories, charter schools have a unique role to play in pushing the envelope and bringing innovative teaching strategies into the classroom. Charter schools are public schools, and should be held to the same level of achievement accountability and fiduciary responsibility as ISDs.
Senator Cornyn is a strong proponent of school choice, which benefits low-income families especially. In the last year, he introduced a bipartisan bill called the GEAR UP for Success Act to help low-income and historically underrepresented students achieve college and career readiness, improve high school graduation rates, and raise awareness of postsecondary options among students and families.
A child should never be mandated to attend a failing or low-performing school because of their zip code. School choice is a resource to aid in breaking generational cycles of poverty, and yields positive competition that raises the tide for all schools.
U.S. MILITARY & VETERANS
Senator Cornyn learned the value of patriotism and service to our country from his father, who spent 31 years in the military — including time as a B-17 pilot in World War II. He grew up in an Air Force family, and knows how interwoven Lubbock is with our U.S. military.
Additionally, Senator Cornyn supported the largest pay increase for U.S. service members in a decade with the passage of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which included an additional $400 million for military construction projects in Texas.
The senator believes in the honor-bound agreement between Americans and our service men and women, and has shepherded thoughtful, impactful programs for veterans into law. The passage of the VA Mission Act streamlined and strengthened VA community care programs and ensured veterans receive efficient, timely and quality care. Senator Cornyn also jointly authored the Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act to expand veterans’ access to mental health care services, and introduced and ushered into law the HAVEN Act — which protects the economic security and well-being of veterans and their families who rely on disability benefits and may be experiencing financial hardship.
Without question, Texans who call Lubbock home know that they can #CountOnCornyn!
Recent Media Coverage:
Texas Awarded $18.6-Million More in COVID-19 Relief Grants
Lubbock area schools to receive almost $832k in grants
Lubbock’s South Plains Economic Development District receives $400K grant for coronavirus response
Cornyn: Lubbock area public housing authorities to receive $675K in COVID-19 relief funds
Lubbock area airports to receive $10 million in Coronavirus relief funds
Lubbock area schools receive $37 million in federal grants for COVID-19 response
Lubbock Area Health Centers Receive $4M in New Round of Coronavirus Relief Funds
