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On the Issues

 

Quality Public 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 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.  

     ·  Voted for an across the board teacher pay raise and 13th check for retired teachers. 

     ·  Voted to eliminate TAKS tests and implement an end-of-course exam.

     · Voted to cap the Top Ten Percent rule.

 

Accessible 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 insure 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 for cancer research.

     ·  Voted to maximize federal funds to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

     ·  Served as part of a bipartisan coalition that opposed a statewide ban on stem cell research. 

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.

     · Founding member of the bipartisan Air Quality Caucus.

     · Voted to regulate, for the first time, the amount of cancer causing toxics in the ambient air to safe standards.

     · Led the fight to kill legislation that would have restricted Mayor Bill White's efforts to reduce air pollution.

 

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.

     · Voted against requiring school counselors to violate the privacy of students by requiring additional paperwork to track student referrals which would impact victims of date rape or dating violence.

     · Joint-authored legislation to prevent discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity in public 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.

     · Worked successfully to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual assault of a child.

 

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.  

     · Voted to require a 3/4th majority before raising the new franchise tax.

     · Vote to cap increases imposed on a homestead by an appraisal district.

     · Voted for property tax relief for seniors and disabled homeowners.