(FORT BEND COUNTY) – After winning a special election in 2020, District 28 State Representative Gary Gates is hoping to be re-elected to serve his first full term. Gates, a Republican, is facing Democrat Nelvin Adriatico in the Nov. 8 election.
Gates says if re-elected, his focus in the next session will be on passing a bill that provides for full-time vocational training for high school juniors and seniors. He points to a shortage of skilled labor in the country and says the average age of a master plumber is 59.
“I think we could solve a lot of problem with crime of you could better equip people who aren’t going to go to college, get them training so they can make money,” he said.
Gates says he has been involved with several Fort Bend County school districts, learning about the vocational programs offered, and says while the programs are good, they don’t go far enough.
“They all have good vocational programs, but they are all introductory,” said Gates. “They don’t walk out with a journeyman license. They can’t get in-depth.”
Gates would like to see a regional program that would allow smaller school districts with less access to funding to participate.
“I hope to use my position to put some funds towards that so people can have the opportunity to walk our of high school and not have to go to college or tech school and get debt,” he said. “A lot of people that work for me didn’t go to college and I pay them six figures.”
Gates bought his first rental property when he was 18 years old, and now employs 500 people, including six of his children. He buys, renovates and rents single-family homes and apartments.
“My district is the fastest-growing district in the state,” he said. “If you look at the growth it is probably going to continue to be number one. But you can’t do all those houses if you can’t find the labor to get it done.”
He also says something needs to be done to close the border and stem illegal immigration while also encouraging legal immigration for skilled workers.
“The demand for labor far exceeds what is available,” he said. “I think the best thing our country has to offer is an attractive place for those from other countries that have skills we could use. If they have a good skill we can use here, why would we not encourage them to come to this country?”
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