Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged voters to cast their ballots early and called on local leaders to move forward with desalination during a campaign stop Tuesday.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged voters to cast their ballots early and called on local leaders to move forward with desalination during a campaign stop Tuesday at Corpus Christi International Airport.
Patrick, a Republican seeking reelection against Democratic challenger Vikki Goodwin, spoke about his priorities for public education, property taxes and the Coastal Bend’s water supply.
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“Get out and vote early because you never know what could come up on November 3rd,” Patrick said.
Asked about the region’s water challenges, Patrick said the state has provided seed money to explore desalination and is prepared to help fund a plant. He said local elected officials need to take the next step.
“We are ready to write you a check to help you pay for a desal plant,” Patrick said. “It’s up to the local elected city officials to give us the green light.”
Patrick encouraged voters to support local candidates who want to address the water shortage and accept state assistance for desalination. He said the region cannot continue getting by year after year without a long-term solution.
On education, Patrick highlighted what he described as increases in public school funding during his tenure, including additional money per student for Corpus Christi Independent School District.
He said continued investment in public education and teacher pay would remain priorities for the next legislative session.
“Continue to support public education, to support our teachers because they need to be paid as the professionals they are,” Patrick said.
Patrick also proposed increasing the school district homestead exemption for homeowners younger than 65 to $200,000 and pursuing further reductions in local property taxes.
His visit was one of several Republican campaign stops in Corpus Christi this week. Gov. Greg Abbott also rallied voters Tuesday. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is scheduled to hold a rally Wednesday.