In towns throughout the lower Rio Grande Valley on Friday, Bill White met with local leaders in education, law enforcement and health care. White, former mayor of Houston, said the state government should understand and respect the needs of local government instead of adopting one size fits all mandates.

In McAllen, White started the day talking with McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez about immigration policy. Chief Rodriguez and White agreed that state and local government should work together on border policy and on solutions that address the real problems of border communities.

In Pharr, White met with Dr. Danny King, superintendent of Pharr- San Juan- Alamo ISD. King and White discussed best practices to confront Texas' dropout rate, which is the highest in the nation. King explained that by bringing recent dropouts back to school and reaching out to students that are identified as potential dropouts, the school district's graduation rate has grown by 65 percent since 2007.

White said there is no excuse for Texas to second to last in the percentage of adults with a high school diploma and the governor should take accountability. White said, "We've cut the dropout rate in some places in Houston too, so don't tell me it can't be done. It's done with innovative educators, who just want someone to be their partner in the governor's mansion. I will commit to you that I will be that kind of governor."

While at PSJA's college, career and technology academy, White also met Alex Arenas, who returned to school last fall after taking two years off to have her son. Arenas told White that the school district helps her with childcare, so that she's able to attend class and earn a high school diploma. Arenas said that as a part of her program, she's already getting community college credit, and she hopes to attend South Texas College for medical training next Fall.

In Harlingen, White met with medical professionals at Valley Baptist Medical Center and discussed the diabetes epidemic that affects 75 percent of VBMC's patients. Doctors noted that addressing this crisis will require sustained civic leadership, and White asked the medical experts to help him develop a plan that unites employers, community organizes, religious communities, government agencies and doctors in the fight to change the behavioral causes of diabetes while ensuring early detection of the disease.

At Cameron Park, Cameron County Commissioner John Wood and other community leaders spoke with White about the needs of the unincorporated areas of the counties, which many times do not have plumbing or electricity. After their meeting, Wood told a reporter of White, "A lot of people feel like Texas stops at the Nueces River. This is the first governor candidate since Ann Richards who is really interested in this area."

In Port Isabel, County Commissioner J.J. Zamora said his coastal community needs jobs with a future. Zamora said that as the fishing and shrimping industry has decreased and the global recession has hit home, the good-paying jobs have left. White and Zamora talked about tailoring programs in local community colleges and trade schools to fit the specific needs of communities.

White said, "This is the kind of discussion that we will have when I'm governor. Real economic development is not giving one company a tax break. Real economic development is training our people with the specialized skills needed for these high paying jobs. If we could work to come up with programs through community colleges and technical schools, then we can improve workforce and attract more businesses."

The day ended in Edinburg. White's son, Will, who has been campaigning for his father in Hidalgo County since he graduated from college last May, held an event at the campaign's regional headquarters with elected officials and community members. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa introduced White and pledged his "unconditional support" for White in his gubernatorial campaign.

Hinojosa said, "Bill is here to listen to you, so take advantage of that."