Qualifications
What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?
I am a 20+ year attorney with a legacy of protecting people’s rights; U.S. AirForce Veteran daughter; an elected representative for the past 5 yrs. with a record of passing legislation, such as increasing opportunities for college attainment and protecting our Vets from opioid drugs; a mother who deeply understands the challenges that parents face with education/childcare; a longtime business owner that knows what it takes to manage successful entrepreneurial businesses and provide jobs; and a Native Houstonian who went to public schools and always had a summer pass to AstroWorld. I’m fiscally conservative, pro-environment, and respect and work across the aisle to selflessly serve all Texans so that they may live healthy and prosperously.
Healthcare
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation. What steps would you take as a state representative to ensure access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, for residents who are currently uninsured or underserved in your district?
I have and will continue to support broadening insurance coverage for mental health services; funding local neighborhood healthcare facilities, and creating or renewing grants that fund community- driven healthcare programs. Provide behavioral health programs in schools, worksites, and support funding for the mental health services that municipalities already provide. With medicaid expansion more than a million fixed and low-income people would immediately have more secure health and emergency costs to the state would be reduced, therefore I support medicaid expansion. Standardizing certification and renewals, so that children do not lose coverage with overly burdensome recertification processes.
Education
What measures would you support to ensure adequate state funding for public schools and accountability for taxpayer funds used in voucher or education savings account programs?
I support prioritizing funding public education using the state general fund surplus or “rainy day fund”, based on a proven funding model that gives schools, teachers, and students adequate funding to equip them to succeed. Adequate funding includes considering the budget that ISDs need to operate safe, air-conditioned, and well-supplied campuses with before school and after school care to support working parents, and raising teacher pay. I opposed the decision that the governor made in 2023 to give schools zero funding in retaliation for failing to pass voucher legislation. I am currently requesting accountability records for the billions in tax revenue spent on vouchers this year and a sustainability plan that protects public schools.
Issues
What are the two most pressing issues unique to your district, and what specific, measurable actions would you take to address them during your term?
Affordability and healthcare access. Affordability challenges range from housing, declining job opportunities, expensive child care, adverse global affairs, and rising insurance costs. These barriers affect a majority of working families and individuals. I will push for legislation and actions that provide re-training for more new job types and trade skills; incentivize businesses to support less costly childcare programs for employees; support the development of workforce, senior, and veteran housing; and demand that insurance companies cap increases to consumers. I will vote to expand medicaid and expand coverage for standard care and currently non-covered medical care.
