University Star

Texas State students should vote to re-elect State Rep. Jason Isaac to the District 45 seat.

Isaac has encountered many of the same financial issues that a lot of Texas State students face today. According to Isaac, it took him 11 years to pay off the loans he borrowed while he was at Stephen F. Austin State University. Isaac has been motivated to work on legislation to lock tuition rates for students after his firsthand experiences with the burdens of college finances.

In the 82nd legislative session, Isaac authored and filed House Bill 1515. According to the text of the bill, it relates “to temporary limitations on the total amount of tuition charged to a student by a four-year public institution of higher education.” According to Texas Legislature Online, the bill did not make it to the House Committee. Despite this, Isaac said it helped initiate a dialogue on the issue between him and the Texas State University System leadership.

Texas State students need a representative in the Texas Capitol who listens to their concerns, puts their suggestions into action and fosters an established rapport with higher education officials. Isaac’s work toward locking in tuition demonstrates that he is the right person for the job.

In addition, Isaac points to a “lead by example” approach in keeping true to his commitment to cost-saving measures. According to Isaac, he accomplished this by decreasing his office’s budget by 10 percent.

“We just need to be more fiscally responsible. We need to be more efficient in our spending in every level of government,” Isaac said.

Juxtapose Isaac’s sensibility in the State House to the stubbornness of his opponent John Adams, trustee for Dripping Springs I.S.D. Adams fails to see the urgency for the state government to reduce spending.

Isaac’s strong sense of community and good understanding of investment are further displayed through his work with US Lacrosse. According to the US Lacrosse website, the organizers “envision a future which offers people everywhere the opportunity to discover, learn, participate in, enjoy, and ultimately embrace the shared passion of the lacrosse experience.”

Isaac manages US Lacrosse’s Central Texas Chapter as president. According to a Feb. 9 San Marcos Mercury article, the Central Texas Chapter of US Lacrosse is now composed of more than 100 lacrosse teams under his leadership. According to the same article, Isaac also helped bring more than 20 teams to a Feb. 18 tournament hosted by the US Lacrosse Central Texas Chapter and the San Marcos Area Youth Soccer Organization. The tournament helped drive economic development in San Marcos.

Furthermore, Isaac sees the promise available in the infrastructure of Central Texas. Isaac envisions the economy in the region growing and attracting jobs, and would in turn help encourage Texas State alumni to stay in the area.  

“I-35 is an incredible asset going down to the valley and then going all the way up to Canada,” Isaac said. “It is a huge corridor of truck traffic. We’ve got rail traffic that’s close by. So, this is a really phenomenal area for manufacturing.”

The economic future of the district lies largely in the votes that Bobcats will cast in this election.

The contrast is clear. Isaac provides an opportunity for commercial growth, and Adams offers stifling government largesse. Texas State students would serve the district and their wallets well by re-electing Isaac.

—Jose R. Gonzalez is a mass communication senior.