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Dade Phelan -
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The Examiner wholeheartedly endorses the re-election of Dade Phelan, Texas State House District 21 Representative. In the March 3 Republican primary, there is only one clear choice to continue the historical representation that Jefferson, Orange and Jasper counties are receiving in Austin – and that is a vote for Dade Phelan.
Phelan is not just our state representative; he is the Texas Speaker of the House, which carries with it the ability since the Legistlature first convened in 1846 to ensure that Southeast Texas is remembered when it’s time to divvy up state funding for the first time. Phelan’s work as the head of the Texas Legislature has meant that this community, being the epicenter of energy resources for the much of the world, is not forgotten when it comes to quality education opportunities, jobs, roads and bridges, and infrastructure. In deed, Phelan has also proven time and time again that he will bring us funding for higher education, hospitals, flood mitigation and disaster help when we need it most.
Phelan’s opponents are not even eligible for the House Speaker’s seat if elected, as they would be a first-term freshman that will need a map to find the House floor from their office. Perhaps an opening in the Speaker’s Office is why so many out-of-towners are hoping the local election takes out a man that champions so heavy for his own district.
Phelan has been our representative since 2019 and has worked diligently to keep Southeast Texas’ interests represented at the state level. Thanks to Dade Phelan’s leadership, the Texas Legislature passed $18 billion in property tax relief — the largest state property tax cut in American history. And, for the first time in Texas history, the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature under Phelan appropriated $220 million in public ports infrastructure funding that greatly benefitted the Golden Triangle. Southeast Texas ports alone received $66 million to fuel this unprecedented expansion of industry and create jobs for our kids and their kids in years to come.
Continuing in a commitment to the education of Southeast Texas youth and the local workforce, Phelan has championed and secured tuition reductions at local and state institutions and approximately $200 million in funding for higher education at Lamar University, LIT, Lamar State College Orange and Lamar State College Port Arthur. These dollars have expanded campuses, as well as created avenues to replenish truck drivers, teachers, maritime workers and an untold host of in-demand fields in need of the labor Southeast Texas can provide.
Additionally, Phelan spearheaded efforts to secure $64 million for Beaumont Baptist Hospital to expand mental health care; $750,000 to support the Gift of Life Cancer Prevention Program; $1.9 million for Allied Health Programs at Lamar State College-Port Arthur; $10 million for petrochemical chemical industry engineering needs at Lamar University; and $14.7 million for Lamar State Colleges to increase its funding rate.
Phelan has secured – for his community – us – a vast number of economic initiatives that have been the igniting contributor to the growth and prosperity that we are now on the verge of enjoying. His true commitment to his family and community, and the real and honest representation of Southeast Texas we know will continue when Phelan is reelected, is why Southeast Texas should prop up an elected official that props up his constituents.