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As a special education advocate, I'm accustomed to see the major issues currently plaguing our public education system on a daily basis. Growing tired of the stories from families, and from my own personal experience lo during K-12, I saw politics as a gateway to promote awareness for issues not typically discussed by either side.

As such, I've been actively involved in grassroots Republican advocacy for the last 4-5 years, including successfully advocating for the Edgar Pacheco Jr. Act (HB 1252, 87R), which was signed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 and gave parents additional time to file a due process complaint against a school district when their child is not being provided a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

When the incumbent State Representative for House District 29 announced he would not be seeking reelection, I saw an opportunity to use my skills and experience, and translate them into a way of effectively advocating for the best interests of constituents in House District 29, in addition to amplifying the voices of over 5 million students, and their families, across the State of Texas.

Education

The public education system educates most students (and nearly all special education students) in Texas. However, trust between school districts and parents has frayed in recent years. Public education is a partnership that requires the investment of both parents and educators in children’s well-being. Better communication between the parties and increased transparency would go a long way toward boosting confidence in shared objectives and realizing reform. This is possible when all parties operate in good faith and the needs of students remain at the forefront.

Parents have the primary right to direct the upbringing of their children. I support creating a universal school choice program that empowers parents to decide what educational options are best for their children while limiting the role of government in regulating service providers (homeschool programs, private schools, therapies, tutors, etc.).

Health Care

Texas has both the highest number and highest rate of uninsured residents in the nation. Meager access to care and poor health outcomes exact an economic toll, from the foregone wages and productivity of those sidelined from employment to the higher costs of compensatory care as conditions worsen. As a state, we must take action. We can at once be fiscally responsible, increase productivity, and care for our most vulnerable.

I support adopting Medicaid expansion, along with 69% of Texans, as revealed in a recent poll by the Episcopal Health Foundation. Doing so could bring $5.4 billion in additional federal funds to the state and allow the state to increase reimbursement rates for providers while reducing overarching government bureaucracy that hinders access. This would enable many to re-enter the workforce and become productive and contributing members of society.

Taxes

Texans pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation since the state relies so heavily on property taxes to fund schools and local governments. While recent legislation has worked to slow increases in the tax property owners pay, the current system, in which the state increasingly buys down local rates, may become unsustainable in the long term.

To shift away from our heavy reliance on property taxes, I support a more balanced and sustainable approach to our tax regime, whether through gradual increases to the sales tax or others. Texans should be able to fully own their home without fear of losing it due to taxes, however, this will require vision and long-term thinking. Legislators must be clear with voters about the trade-offs involved and the work that lies ahead.