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On the Issues

During the 81st Legislative Session, Rep. Cohen continued to focus on issues that are important to District 134 including . . .

 

Excellence in Education

Whether a student, parent, or grandparent, the quality of public education matters to our community.  Our economic future is directly tied to creating an educated workforce. By investing in excellence and focusing on a better learning environment, we increase the opportunity for all Texas children.  Likewise, if we do not, we risk losing not only a generation, but generations.  Our schools should strike the proper balance between accountability for student achievement and respect for the professionalism of our teachers. 

     ·  Joint authored a bill to address the Top Ten Percent rule at UT Austin

     · Laid a foundation for increasing the number of Tier One universities in the state 

Accessible & Innovative Healthcare

Healthcare is of vital importance to the people of Texas. Along with the world renowned Texas Medical Center, many doctors, researchers, and medical professionals live and work in District 134. We must get the most out of every healthcare dollar in order to meet the challenges of our region's growing population. As a cancer survivor, I will fight for funding to ensure we continue to be a global leader in medical research and development.

     ·  First House sponsor of the bill creating the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas that will fund $3 billion toward grants addressing cancer research, clinical trials, and laboratory facility construction in Texas. The Institute will continue to implement the Texas Cancer Plan. In her second session, she continued the fight for Cancer Research funds.

     ·  Continued support of Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

     ·  Supported efforts to rebuild UTMB and address trauma care funding. 

 

Environment

Protecting our environment is key to securing and improving our quality of life. Houston faces unique challenges caused by both our transportation choices and the concentration of industry. Texas must pass common sense standards to reduce the dangerous chemical concentrations found in Houston's air. Economic growth and environmental conscience are not on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Efficiency and conservation will reduce both costs to businesses and the demand for resources.

     · Jointly authored a bill addressing regulation of fuel quality

      ·  Coauthored the bill to create a Smoke Free Texas

     · Led Coauthored a bill to extend incentives for clean coal projects capturing carbon dioxide

 

 Personal Life Decisions

Personal life decisions should be made by individuals, not the government.  In District 134, we understand that these choices should be made by Texas families, not the Texas Legislature.  We must respect individuals with the dignity each of us deserves.  We do not want the government to tell us when life begins, how it should end, or with whom we should spend it. 

     · Authored legislation to end the false and medically inaccurate link between the increased risk of breast cancer and abortion

     · Jointly-authored legislation addressing health care rights of domestic partners, as well as expanding benefits and seeking to prevent employment discrimination based on sexual orientation

     · Coauthored a bill to end bullying in schools

Public Safety

Protecting our children should be the most non-partisan issue that we, as a community, must address.  I have spent the last 18 years witnessing the results of violence and rape.  I believe that the penalties on the books need to be enforced so that predators and pedophiles stay behind bars and off our streets, and that protecting our children should be the first priority.

    · Authored and passed legislation which provides $25 million for adult and child survivors of sexual assault through an Adult Entertainment Fee.

     ·Coauthor of bills requiring booster seats for children under 8, setting conditions on family violence offenders, and providing for prosecution, punishment and prevention of human trafficking 

Fiscal Responsibility

Tax reform matters tremendously to the home and business owners of our district.  I believe a 5% cap for residential properties will help control rising appraisals.  Homestead exemptions, which take part of the value of a homeowners' property off the tax rolls, can better target tax relief than rate reductions alone.  The state's new franchise tax must be carefully applied in the first year of implementation, and I believe a low rate to be key in maintaining a good business climate.  

     · Coauthored bill providing immediate tax relief for small businesses, exempting them from paying margins tax

     · As a member of the Appropriations Committee, helped to pass a $182.3 billion budget

 

To learn more about bills that Representative Cohen authored during the 81st Legislative Session, please click here. For those she co-authored, please click here.