Governor Greg Abbott stands with profit over people

Sara Stapleton Barrera: “Rather than standing with our workers, Governor Greg Abott is standing with corporations.”

SOUTH TEXAS – Governor Greg Abbott announced a premature executive order that puts workers in harm's way during the COVID-19 crisis. “Re-opening the Texas economy,” as Governor Greg Abbott put it, means at-risk workers will be forced to go to work for corporations for fear of losing their jobs.

“Don’t let Greg Abbott’s gift of gab fool you. He cares about profit over people,” said Sara Stapleton-Barrera, candidate for Texas Senate District 27. “Rather than standing with our workers, he is standing with corporations.”

Just this week, we had the deadliest day during the pandemic. The United States death toll reached 2,405 fatalities in one day, showing that this crisis is far from over. Statistics show that South Texas will not reach the peak of the crisis until some time in early May, showing that we must continue to practice social distancing measures to ensure our families and community is safe.

However, as we practice these social distancing measures, we need our state and federal government leaders to support workers by providing them with financial assistance they need to get through these difficult months.

“We need expanded family and paid medical leave in Texas as well as expanded Medicaid coverage to protect our most vulnerable people, including retail and restaurant workers in South Texas,” said Stapleton Barrera.  

Today, Abbott said he was “grateful for President Trump” and his leadership, but it is dangerous to assume that workers should be sent back to work, putting them at-risk of contracting Coronavirus as we advance toward the peak of the COVID-19 stastisical curve.

“I am proud of our community for standing and supporting our workers,” said Stapleton Barrera. “I am confident we will continue to support small businesses in South Texas while protecting our vulnerable workers. We all want to get back to work, including myself, but what matters most is the health and safety of everyone.”

Stapleton Barrera is a 36-year-old constitutional rights lawyer born and raised in Cameron County. Her campaign has been covered in the Texas Observer, Texas Tribune, Brownsville Herald. Stapleton Barrera has been endorsed by Annie’s List, State Board of Education member Ruben Cortez, Texas Rising Action, Progress Texas, Jessica Cisneros, and SAVE RGV from LNG.