Issues

Economy

For far too long, economic growth has ignored entire communities in Texas.  Farouk has a plan that will ensure every Texan has the opportunity to work hard and live the American Dream.  That’s why Farouk has made a guarantee no politician has ever made before, if his plan doesn’t create 100,000 new jobs in Texas in his first two years in office he will immediately resign and pay the state ten million dollars.  Farouk can put his money where his mouth is because he has experience creating jobs and knows how to build a business from the ground up. Read More...

Energy and Environment

Texas is already a leader in alternative energy sources, but our state has barely begun to tap into our potential.  The Competitive Renewable Energy Zones in west Texas have already been identified as areas with an almost unlimited potential for wind and solar energy.. Farouk will work with the legislature to ensure we build these areas to their full potential and have the capacity to transmit this energy from west Texas to our urban centers.
 
It’s time for better solutions, not talk and bluster. Farouk Shami believes it’s time to act to close down our polluting coal fired plants once and for all, while also ensuring Texas has access to affordable and reliable energy that will meet demand today and into the future. Read More...

Education

The future economic success of this state starts with ensuring every single Texas child, regardless of where they live, has access to a top notch education. Farouk believes we must stop playing politics with the education of our youth and start preparing them for a future where they will compete globally.

Teachers and public schools are vital to our state and should be treated as such. We must provide students the opportunities and facilities they need to flourish in the 21st century economy. Beyond that, Farouk will fight to lower the dropout rate by ensuring our students have mentors who can help them see the value in receiving an education.  Most importantly, he will dramatically increase Vocational/Technical training in our secondary schools to teach kids real life skills that can lead to a high paying job and help them become a productive part of the Texas workforce.  Read More...

Transportation

Our transportation infrastructure is broken. Traffic and congestion are robbing Texans of countless hours and robbing our businesses of countless dollars.  Politics as usual is not solving the problem.

Farouk is the only candidate with a comprehensive plan to demand accountability and adequately fund our transportation needs without the use of toll roads. Read More...

Force Oil and Natural Gas Companies to Clean Up Their Act

While Texas is blessed with natural resources, far too often the costs of extracting that oil and natural gas destroys our local communities.

Farouk will lead the effort to revamp the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and make it an agency that can crack down on those companies who ignore pollution standards and force them to clean up their act. Big oil and natural gas companies cannot continue to blatantly destroy communities without fear of any real consequences.

Fight for LGBT Rights

All Texans deserve to be treated equally and discrimination has no place in Texas.

Farouk's LGBT Policy calls for same-sex civil unions, proposes including LGBT in protections against employment and insurance discrimination and establishing authority for same-sex couples to make medical decisions on one another's behalf. Read More...

A Woman’s Right to Choose

Farouk believes in safeguarding a woman’s right to choose and will oppose all efforts by the Legislature to place further restrictions or roadblocks on decisions best left to a woman and her doctor.
 
Texas must do more to reduce unintended pregnancies, especially among teens. Farouk favors guaranteeing equity in contraceptive coverage and providing responsible, scientifically-based sex education in public schools.
 
Farouk is against placing restrictions on the access to emergency contraception.

Second Amendment Rights

Farouk unequivocally supports the Second Amendment rights of all Texans.
 
Farouk will fight any effort to restrict the ability of Texans’ to carry concealed weapons. However, he believes Texas’ higher educational institutions must be gun free.

Strengthen Border Communities

Farouk Shami immigrated to this country legally and knows firsthand why people across the globe wish to come to America. As governor, he will work with federal officials, as well as business and community leaders, to find a pragmatic way to address the immigration issue and secure our borders. He understands walls don’t work and good and legal jobs on both sides of the border help both Texas and Mexico. Read More...

Criminal Justice

Farouk Shami believes the Texas criminal justice system has serious problems. Too many young people become career criminals. Often we are not sure if those convicted were truly guilty. Our correction officers are under paid and poorly trained. And the entire system is focused on retribution and not rehabilitation. 

As governor, Farouk will order a top to bottom review of the Texas prison system. He will work with District Attorneys and law enforcement leaders to explore ways to improve the integrity in our criminal justice system, starting by ensuring no innocent person is put to death.  Farouk will also crack down on criminals who are currently being overlooked, white collar criminals who buy support from political leaders. Read More...

Rural Broadband

The digital divide in this country, and especially in Texas, continues to grow wider.  While broadband internet use continues to rise, it continues to be unavailable to those who live in some rural communities.

Farouk has a plan to solve the divide by providing universal access to the internet allowing boost healthcare, education and job growth in rural Texas. Read More...

Animal Rights

Farouk Shami firmly believes that animals ought to be protected. That's why he put his money where his mouth is and has never tested any of his own company's products on animals. Furthermore, he wants to mandate all shelters in Texas become "no kill" shelters and provide state aid to rescue organizations. Finally, he wants to increase criminal penalties on those people convicted of abusing animals.