Read Democrat candidate Malik Williams’ candidate questionnaire for Texas House District 83 ahead of the March primary election.
Note: The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal/ USA TODAY Network only edited the response to comply with journalistic standards and did not change any responses.
Current Occupation: Family Law Attorney.
Age: 28.
Q: What do you see as the most important issues facing House District 83, and how would you address them if elected to represent this district?
A; Our current elected leaders have not done enough to ensure that the fundamental needs of average people are met, but instead have decided to prioritize the profits of corporations and the ultra-wealthy. District 83 comprises nearly 185k residents that are low-income, middle-class, farmers, ranchers, small business owners, and most importantly concerned citizens.
Concerned citizens, like myself, are worried because Texas ranks 46 of 50 states in education, yet Republican lawmakers are taking billions away from our public education institutions. We rank dead last in uninsured residents and cost for coverage, yet Republicans have taken no steps to expand healthcare. Lastly, people are finding it increasingly more difficult to afford their essential needs such as rent, childcare, and groceries. These issues and many others are why I have been and will continue to fight for the needs of the people over corporations.
Q: Why are you running for the Texas House, and what experiences or perspectives would you bring to Austin on behalf of HD 83?
I am running to advocate and represent HD 83 because people in our communities are suffering when they should not be suffering. Republicans have been in charge of our state for nearly 30 years ensuring corporations can have more sweetheart contract deals and that the ultra-wealthy can hoard more profits. Texas has the 2nd largest economy in the nation and 8th best in the world, which means we should be able to afford or at least try to ensure the needs of those with less are met. This is the purpose of being a public servant; a criteria I am intimately familiar with.
I serve 14 rural counties as a family law attorney through legal aid in which I provide free legal services primarily to people dealing with domestic violence. Meaning, I am not afraid to stand up to a bully nor abuser. I served Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as a Fellow during the emergence of the COVID pandemic. I assisted in coordinating resources and support for residents at home and abroad. My ability to organize, develop plans, and advocate are all skills I will utilize in Austin. Additionally, I grew up in poverty being raised by a single mother. I will make sure our body politic never leaves behind nor forgets about those who are struggling and just want a hand up, not a hand out.
Q: West Texas agriculture is the backbone of our regional economy. What have you done or what would you do to support agricultural producers facing challenges like input costs, market volatility, and regulatory pressures?
A: The Texas Farm Bureau recently expressed their concerns regarding the future of Texas agriculture. They posed the question, “Can farmers afford to plant another crop?” There is no disagreement on whether further aid is necessary for our agriculture communities, but republican “solutions” only provide a band-aid and not real solutions. As the next Representative for HD 83, I will advocate for water conservation, labor protections, and the legalization of cannabis.
Parasitic corporations consume large amounts of water and electricity to function which adversely impact rural and agricultural communities. Without water conservation, farmers and ranchers will find themselves in a similar position akin to many residents–intentionally screwed. Rampant ICE aggression continues to threaten the workforce of our agriculture families which exacerbates cost and reduces essential food production. Also, cannabis is a proven multi-billion-dollar industry. Once legalized, it can be regulated and taxed to further grow our economy. Agricultural producers should be allowed to grow this plant so they can enjoy the profits in which cannabis yields.
Q: K-12 education funding and student safety are top concerns for parents. What is your record on education policy, and what are your priorities for Texas schools moving forward?
A: I will advocate for fully funding public schools, ensure the freedom to teach and learn, and give educators the right of public sector bargaining. Public dollars belong to public schools. I will stop the GOP vouchers from committing theft on public education. The resources and freedom to manage a school must be returned to those who know their community needs the best … Educators!
Further, teachers must be given the opportunity to teach freely without the interference of politics. Politics has forced its insidious claws into the classroom restricting the free flow of knowledge. History shows that censorship leads to hindered critical thinking and fails to prepare students for a complex interconnected world. Censorship and politics in the classroom must be removed. Lastly, the right to bargain ensures that educators will have a seat and a voice in the terms and conditions of their employment. A fair contract with better pay, better benefits, and better working conditions. Improving teaching and learning conditions means that everyone benefits.
Q: Your opponent is the Speaker of the House with considerable influence and seniority. How would you effectively represent HD 83 as a freshman legislator, and what would you do differently than the current representation?
A: Instead of prioritizing the profits of corporations and the ultra-wealthy, I will prioritize the needs of average Texans. A common concern among the communities of HD 83 is whether our elected leaders care and will advocate for our needs. As the next Representative of this district, I will keep the people engaged and informed.
I will have several town halls across the 11 counties so that I can meet people where they live. I listen to the issues, needs, and input of all who are willing to speak with me. People in these rural towns are overlooked and have not seen nor heard directly from the Speaker, apart from election season. I promise to listen and learn from all those who are willing to share because they deserve better.
Q: Energy production is vital to West Texas’s economy. How should Texas balance supporting our energy sector with meeting future demands on the grid and infrastructure, particularly as AI and technology industries expand?
A: Texas is and will continue to expand. People across the country are moving to Texas by the hundreds of thousands each year. A growing population means greater energy demands. Texas is the number one producer and consumer of energy in the country. Our economy and continued growth are dependent on reliable power, and how we meet this massive demand has tremendous implications.
Renewable energy is helping Texas meet this growing demand for energy, while also providing jobs, bolstering rural economies and supporting communities all across the state. However, more needs to be done: Texas needs to embrace a diverse energy portfolio, invest in localized infrastructure (such as microgrids), and secure limited resources. I will advocate for the conservation of resources, so corporations are not consuming large quantities until the capacity needed for the essential needs of communities are met.
Q: How would your approach to representing HD 83 differ from your Republican opponent in the general election?
A: The principal purpose of politics is that in the course of a healthy debate, we can prioritize the needs of the people and how best to achieve those needs. This ceases to be the case when our leaders refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem. For example, people are demanding affordable childcare. I spoke with a single mother working as an Uber driver who shared with me that she is having to move in with her parents to afford the $1,500 price tag associated with her kids’ childcare services.
That situation is not unique only to her, but many Texas families. The legislature should have solved this issue by now. Further, young people are fearful that they’ll never be able to afford a home. I spoke with a Chipotle cashier who shared they have no belief they can become a homeowner. Hope and belief in a better tomorrow is the lynchpin of the American dream. Knowing this, our elected leaders should be ashamed for selling out our future. Measures should be taken to construct affordable housing units, prevent corporate investors from monopolizing neighborhoods, and provide relief loans making it easier for first time home buyers. I plan to advocate for making the lives of Texans better, because we all deserve better.
Mateo Rosiles is a reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal and USA TODAY Network in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Read Texas House District 83 candidate Malik Williams’ platforms
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
