As a mom of two school aged kids and the spouse of a school psychologist, I know that public schools are the backbone of our communities. They provide equitable access to education and serve as the largest employer in many of our towns. I also have a child that receives special education services and I know that he is protected in our public schools.

Defunding our public schools is catastrophic to our local economies and our children’s future.

Beliefs:

Public schools are an essential part of our economy.

Public school are part of the social fabric of our communities.

Vouchers would be harmful to our public schools and students.

Teachers, retirees and librarians deserve respect.

Priorities

1. Raising the basic allotment

2. Fight against unfunded or underfunded mandates

3. Increase pay of our teachers

4. Trust our librarians and oppose blanket attempts to ban books

5. Protect and increase support for students with disabilities

5. Support Pre-K

I have dedicated my career to making communities healthier and have worked on some of the most challenging issues facing Texas today. I am a nationally recognized public health expert specializing in behavioral health, opioid addiction and rural health. My career started in community behavioral health as a case worker in rural Texas. After working decades in healthcare, I have implemented innovative community based behavioral health and opioid addiction programs in Texas and nationally.

I understand the healthcare challenges that Texans and health care providers face.

Beliefs:

Healthcare decisions should be made between patients, families and their providers - not politicians.

Affordable, quality healthcare is essential to thriving communities.

No Texan should go bankrupt because they get sick, or have delay care because they can not get to a provider.

Priorities:

1. Fix the broken Medicaid eligibility system

2. Coverage expansion

3. Provide robust funding for behavioral health and primary care homes. Especially in our rural areas.

4. Invest in the workforce.

5. Support policies and increase funding for school based health, FQHCs, tele-health and integrated care.

6. Invest in community based services and speciality care for aging adult, persons with intellectual disabilities or autism.

Our district is experiencing rapid growth like no other time in our history. Families want safe and affordable communities, well paying jobs, healthcare and accessible roads. Companies and small business alike are looking for communities that can support their business needs as well as their workforce needs.

This is also at a time that we are experiencing climate change with record droughts, heat waves and freezes. We must ensure that our communities have secure access to water, broadband, emergency services, and clean, reliable energy sources. These are no longer optional, but essential.

Together we must work towards solutions that will promote smart growth, economic opportunities, and protect our environment all while preserving community.

As you state representative, I will lift up the needs and concerns of our local communities and work towards common solutions for every Texas.

Beliefs:

Those that are closest to the issues know best how to solve them.

Every Texan deserves respect, equal opportunity and quality of life.

Climate change is real and we must act now.

Safe, affordable communities with diverse economic opportunities is good.

Infrastructure is essential.

Priorities:

1. Clean, reliable water sources

2. Climate resilient infrastructure

3. Local governance

4. Access to quality childcare that is affordable to families

5. LGBTQIA+ equity

6. Gun violence prevention

7. Voter rights

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