Too many politicians are being funded by special interests and corporations. They ought to wear sponsor shirts like NASCAR drivers so we know who they are working for!

Term limits would ensure that our representatives are serving their constituents and no one else by eliminating a professional class of politicians.

Abbott’s school vouchers program is hurting public schools across Texas, which are being defunded in the cynical name of making private education affordable. Most rural communities have one choice about where students can get an education, the public schools, and they are underfunded.

Health Care: For too many people, health care is becoming not only more expensive but harder to access. The State of Texas can do a better job of spreading our world class healthcare to all residents of Texas, regardless of where they live and how much they make. Address the pandemic of suicides in Texas by requiring a seven day waiting period before purchasing a hand gun.

Minimum Wage: Raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for everyone. If someone works full-time they should be able to have a roof over their head and food on the table. 

Public Schools and Teacher Pay: Fully fund public education. Thirty years ago Texas’ public schools were at the top, but after 30 years of Republicans, Texas is near the bottom. Treat teachers like the professionals they are and not underpaid childcare workers.

Childcare: Assure quality and affordable childcare for parents who need it, rather than providing vouchers for private schools.

Public education in Texas is for people of all faiths and no faith. Yes, religion has played a role in the history of Texas, but Texas was not founded to be a Christian State. If religious texts are going to be taught then teach texts of all the historic religions in Texas, beginning with indigenous people through the current time.

I join with Democratic Governor Candidate Gina Hinojosa and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidate Vikki Goodwin in immediately calling for a Special Legislative Session to pass laws that regulate data centers to protect local communities. We can’t trust Governor Abbott to rely on audits which are not legally binding for agencies he is already controlling. Among the laws passed should be: 1. Ending tax breaks for data centers. Data centers should pay for themselves without government subsidies in the billions. 2. Ensure that American workers, particularly union workers, are building data centers. 3. We need protections for clean water, air, and electricity. 4. Cease the practice of giving data centers priority of water use over local citizens. 5. Put restrictions on AI, such as replacing school teachers with virtual “education guides.”

Keep big agriculture off of our farms and ranches, while ensuring farmers can make a profit. A handful of international corporations rig food prices for working families. I will fight to make food and farming affordable and end hunger.

Texas Wine is leading the country in quality and reputation. Vineyards in District 19 need support from Texas to continue to thrive.