Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ THREAD: We asked @TedCruz, @BetoORourke and @NealDikeman 17 policy questions we crowdsourced from young Texans.

Here’s what they said to each one.

#tx2018 #txsen #MidtermElections

trib.it/1BW

2/ Should the state or federal government increase the minimum wage?

@BetoORourke: Yes
@NealDikeman: No
@TedCruz: No

trib.it/1BW

3/ How should the government help Texans build wealth through homeownership?

@BetoORourke said "expand existing home-buyer assistance programs that help with down payments and mortgage loans." trib.it/1BW

4/ How should the government help Texans build wealth through homeownership?

@tedcruz said the best thing to do is to "boost economic growth and expand opportunity by keeping taxes and regulations low." trib.it/1BW

5/ How should the government help Texans build wealth through homeownership?

@nealdikeman said the government should "stay out of the business of subsidizing asset bubbles." trib.it/1BW

6/ Do you think Congress should expand student loan forgiveness programs?

@BetoORourke: Yes.
@nealdikeman: No.
@TedCruz: No.

trib.it/1BW

7/ How can Congress act to improve public school outcomes?

@BetoORourke says “let’s keep public school dollars in public school classrooms.” trib.it/1BW

8/ How can Congress act to improve public school outcomes?

@TedCruz says “state and local governments should be the decision makers in public education.” trib.it/1BW

9/ How can Congress act to improve public school outcomes?

@nealdikeman says “schools function best when the responsibility, funding, and outcomes are as local as possible.” trib.it/1BW

10/ Should the federal government put more money toward college financial aid?

@BetoORourke: Yes.
@nealdikeman: No.
@TedCruz: No.

trib.it/1BW

11/ Would you support giving control over the redistricting process in Texas to a nonpartisan commission?

@BetoORourke says yes, he would support giving control over the redistricting process in Texas to a nonpartisan commission. trib.it/1BW

12/ Would you support giving control over the redistricting process in Texas to a nonpartisan commission?

@tedcruz says redistricting should be in the hands of democratically accountable representatives of the people. trib.it/1BW

13/ Would you support giving control over the redistricting process in Texas to a nonpartisan commission?

@nealdikeman says "absolutely." trib.it/1BW

14/ Should Texans be able to register to vote on the same day they cast a ballot?

@BetoORourke: Yes.
@nealdikeman: Yes.
@tedcruz: No.

trib.it/1BW

15/ States like Oregon allow all voters to vote by mail. Should Texas adopt a similar policy?

@BetoORourke: Yes.
@nealdikeman: Yes.
@tedcruz: No.

trib.it/1BW

16/ What should government do to prevent gun violence in schools?

@BetoORourke says to decrease gun violence in schools, we should require background checks for all gun sales — and more: trib.it/1BW

17/ What should the government do to prevent gun violence in schools?

@TedCruz says the focus should be on targeting violent criminals, improving mental health resources and increasing school safety. trib.it/1BW

18/ What should the government do to prevent gun violence in schools?

@nealdikeman says he doesn't think the answer lies in more federal government. trib.it/1BW

19/ Should lawmakers pass tougher national gun laws in light of recent mass shootings?

@BetoORourke: Yes
@nealdikeman: No
@tedcruz: No response

trib.it/1BW

20/ Should the CDC be allowed to study gun violence?

@BetoORourke: Yes
@nealdikeman: No
@tedcruz: No

trib.it/1BW

21/ Do you support a path to citizenship for children brought to the U.S. illegally?

@BetoORourke: Yes
@nealdikeman: Yes
@tedcruz: No

trib.it/1BW

22/ Should immigrants fleeing domestic and gang violence be granted asylum?

@BetoORourke: Yes
@nealdikeman: No
@tedcruz: No response

trib.it/1BW

23/ What should government do to reform our immigration system?

@BetoORourke calls for laws that “maintain order at the border without dehumanizing anyone...”

trib.it/1BW

24/ What should government do to reform our immigration system?

@TedCruz says “we should end sanctuary cities and strengthen work verification programs.” trib.it/1BW

25/ What should government do to reform our immigration system?

@NealDikeman says “there's been no action from Congress in decades.”

trib.it/1BW

26/ What does the government need to do to prepare Texas for the next hurricane?

@BetoORourke says we need to “reform federal disaster assistance.” trib.it/1BW

27/ What does the government need to do to prepare Texas for the next hurricane?

@TedCruz says “I do not support policies that will raise the cost of living on hard-working Americans.” trib.it/1BW

28/ What does the government need to do to prepare Texas for the next hurricane?

@NealDikeman says “we need to build infrastructure for the 21st century.”

trib.it/1BW

29/ Why does it take so long to get storm victims back into permanent housing? How would you speed it up?

@BetoORourke: “We need to equip and fund local governments.”

trib.it/1BW

30/ Why does it take so long to get storm victims back into permanent housing? How would you speed it up?

@TedCruz: “The best way to improve the process is to look for ways to streamline.”

trib.it/1BW

31/ Why does it take so long to get storm victims back into permanent housing? How would you speed it up?

@NealDikeman says he “personally helped arrange housing for multiple families without any government support” after Harvey.

trib.it/1BW

32/ Do you think the office you are running for should be doing more to tackle the threat of climate change? If so, how?

@BetoORourke says let’s “support reforms that drive research and investment in climate resilient infrastructure.” trib.it/1BW

33/ Do you think the office you are running for should be doing more to tackle the threat of climate change? If so, how?

@TedCruz: “I do not support policies that will raise the cost of living on hard-working Americans.” trib.it/1BW

34/34 Do you think the office you are running for should be doing more to tackle the threat of climate change? If so, how?

@NealDikeman: “I do. Unlike most politicians, I don't wait for the government to act.” trib.it/1BW