Education​

All Texans have the right to receive high-quality, publicly-funded education. High-quality public schools that meet the needs of all individuals should be accessible. Here's where I stand on the issues.​

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-Teachers and Support Staff

The success of our children is dependent upon the success of our teachers, counselors, librarians, aides, and other support staff. Due to meager wages, deficient funding, and the increased emphasis on standardized testing, which is improperly used as a teacher performance metric and monopolizes class time, educational institutions suffer from low teacher retention rates and are often forced to staff unqualified individuals. If we wish to recruit superior, certified teachers that have the training and tools necessary to support all students throughout their educational journey, we must increase teacher pay and advocate for quality, affordable healthcare and retirement options. Such issues have only exacerbated since the COVID-19 pandemic and the passage of HB2 in the past legislative session.

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-Special Education

Individuals of all abilities are entitled to receive a high-quality education at any publicly-funded Texas educational institution.  Both gifted students and those with disabilities are entitled to receive appropriate, high-quality early, secondary, and postsecondary education and access to all services and support indicated in their individual education plans. Furthermore, we believe that all institutions should provide a safe-haven for students of all abilities, and disparities in instruction or discipline based on such factors should be eliminated.

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-Standardized Testing

Studies show that standardized testing is an ineffective metric of both student and teacher performance, discourages higher-level critical thinking and creativity, and penalizes underserved populations. While the district receives funding based on standardized test scores, the approach to test preparation must move away from teaching to the test. Furthermore, the use of a statewide, test-based "Value Added Measure" as a teacher evaluation metric should be uniformly rejected, as such measures have been proven invalid and do not reflect an educator's ability to effectively teach. Furthermore, students with disabilities must take assessments designated in individual education plans and no longer be subject to inappropriate testing. 

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-Vocational Training

College is not, and should not be treated as, the only path to success. For students who do not wish to attend college, vocational education programs can provide high school students with occupational training, unrelated to traditional academic skills. Accordingly, it is imperative that Texas expand its career and technical educational programming. The further development of hands-on training programs will prepare students for a specific career or trade. Furthermore, the establishment of career programs has been shown to reduce the number of students who drop out of high school and benefit at-risk students, while also providing all students with an alternative to college or university.

 

Healthcare​

Every Texan should have access to high-quality, affordable health care. As a state, we must ensure that we provide comprehensive health care options to our all Texans, including the most vulnerable, our children, veterans, and seniors.  No individual should be denied access because of a pre-existing condition or inability to pay an exorbitant hospital bill. 

 

Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, with more than 1 in 6 Texans lacking health coverage. By refusing Medicaid expansion, our representatives are leaving billions of federal dollars on the table every year—money that could be used to keep our rural hospitals open, lower the cost of care, and provide everyday Texans with affordable coverage. Expanding Medicaid isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about strengthening our economy, protecting our communities, and ensuring that every Texan can see a doctor when they need one. As your State Representative, I’ll fight to bring our tax dollars back home and invest them where they belong: in the health of Texans.

​​​Texas is one of the most diverse states in the nation and Fort Bend County one of the most diverse counties in the country. Despite this, too many communities face unequal access to care. Black mothers are more likely to die during childbirth, Hispanic families are more likely to be uninsured, and rural Texans often drive hours just to see a doctor. Reducing these disparities isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart policy. By expanding community health clinics, investing in bilingual and culturally competent care, and tackling barriers like cost and transportation, we can make sure every Texan has a fair chance at living a productive, healthy life.

 

Crisis Management

Every Texan should be assured that the state has comprehensive plans for handling the occurrence and aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and during COVID-19, many Texans were left without sufficient support. The district must develop, fund, and implement processes to ensure the health and safety of all Texans; these plans should adhere to local, state, and federal public safety guidelines. Furthermore, the district must immediately develop plans to manage emergency learning protocols, in the event of short-term and long-term educational disruptions. Additionally, our district must actively address issues concerning violence in our schools, and invest more money in providing mental health services to our students in order to reduce the possibility of violence, particularly gun violence, in our schools. 

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Immigration

The state of Texas is great because of the contributions of immigrants. Not only do immigrants make up more than 1 in 6 Texas workers, but they contribute an estimated $192 billion annually in personal income, which equates to nearly one in five dollars of spending power in Texas. That’s roughly 20% of the state’s consumer spending economy

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As a state that shares its southern border with an ally, it would be in our best interests to enact fair and practical immigration reform. As Texans we must support a secure border that protects Texans, and Americans, from bad actors engaged in the evils of human trafficking and drug smuggling. However, we must balance that by treating immigrants humanely, considering the pleas of asylum seekers and refugees with the utmost seriousness. We must support the passage of the DREAM Act, which will allow those here under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) to achieve their citizenship and their American dream. 

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We cannot allow the current policies of child separation, 'tender age' shelters, and a zero-tolerance approach to immigration to continue. We must value the power that is associated with the diverse skillsets of our immigrant population, with a pragmatic approach that ensures the continued success of the Texas economy, while respecting the dignity and humanity of immigrants.

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