T he decisions made in the upcoming 2013 Texas Legislative session are critical to the future success of our state and its citizens.

I’m Matt Stillwell and I am running for Texas State Representative.  I am frustrated with the current performance of our  government.  Many elected officials today are out of touch with their constituents.  Extremists have taken over our state legislature leaving moderate and independently minded voters with no one to represent our views and beliefs.  Some representatives are over-influenced by corporate money and lobbyists, and many are more concerned with their own re-elections than the needs of the people they represent.

Texas does many things well — the jobs climate that Texas has fostered has weathered the economic storm better than most, but the last Legislative Session failed Texas on many levels. I’m not sure most Texans are aware of the huge buck that was passed by the last session in regards to Medicaid.

The real loser, though, was our public schools. Our student population continues to grow by leaps and bounds, but our funding per student has dropped dramatically; and we were already near the bottom of student funding when compared with the other 49 states before the last session made drastic cuts to education. A majority of the schools in this state are now suing the State of Texas because the last Legislature didn’t do their job. Make no mistake – the current state of education in Texas is an emergency for our children – for the future workforce of this State, and the Republican super-majority did nothing but cause it more harm. Texas needs a highly educated workforce if it wants to continue building its employment opportunities.  Jobs will not remain in Texas if employers cannot find highly educated workers.

I want to represent the citizens of my district — not a political party, not a lobbyist, not my biggest donors (but if you want to be a biggest donor, I need your help).  I am a service-minded citizen, and I will remain service-minded if you send me to Austin to represent you. If elected, I promise to make the choices that are best for Williamson County, as well as for the State of Texas as a whole.  I pledge to build transparency into my campaign and, if elected, into my service to the district. I will make wise compromises which are so necessary to maintain a healthy democracy.  I will work toward economic and social progress for all of us.  Most of all I will champion education, which in Texas is in dire need of reform.

I hope you will spend time exploring this site to learn more about me and about my opinions on the issues that matter to some voters. I hope you will take the time to share with me what your opinions are on the issues that matter to you.  If you can support me, please do so with your vote, your time, your contributions, or your voice.

Matt Stillwell