| Texas Issues |
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As our nation undergoes change in the next year, so should the state of Texas.
Residents of Texas deserve a government that works efficiently and effectively to
promote the changes necessary for a better Texas.
Bridging Partisan Divides – District 92 needs a voice that can relate to and
understand the needs of the people. Then, the goal is to work diligently to bridge the
partisan divides in Austin so that those needs may be met. The only way to do that is
by supporting good legislation in spite of party affiliations.
Health Care Needs – According to the Dallas Morning News, December 24, 2007,
Texas is last for the number of people with medical insurance. We need to
continuously work towards viable health care options. For example, CHIP (Children’s
Health Insurance Program) should be available for all children in need and the goal
should be pushing for the growth and success of the program, as opposed to making
cuts that will reduce the number of qualifying participants. Health care should be a right
and not a privilege. Even Texans with money to pay for health care may experience an
unfortunate change in circumstances. They should have some comfort in knowing that
they will have access to continued health care.
Environmental Concerns – Many health care concerns could be resolved, or at the
very least minimized, by addressing environmental issues. With increasing
environmental concerns in District 92 and the surrounding communities, we need to
work towards implementing initiatives that promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
When faced with health issues resulting from these environmental factors, our most
vulnerable Texans are the individuals least likely to get medical attention because they
are least likely to be able to afford it or least likely to even know the causes of their
medical conditions. Why? The logical answer, they lack the resources for regular
examinations. Thus, they are more likely to visit the emergency rooms with serious
medical conditions due to prolonged exposure with lack of preventative care.
Public Education System – Texas still needs more funding for its public education
system. This is the only way that Texas can do better. According to the Dallas Morning
News, December 24, 2007, Texas is last for the number of people with medical
insurance, has three of the poorest counties in the country, and is second in the size of
the income gap between the rich and poor. This shows that our public education
system, as is, is not sufficient and that our people are suffering because of these
inadequacies. We have great educators, but they can only do as much as their
resources will allow. Our educational system is not where it should be for the year
2008. This is where funding is crucial. The truth is, there will always be a need to put
more money into our schools. It is a reality that comes with advances in technology and
increased challenges faced by our youth as they enter the competitive job market. If
we want to prepare them, we must always be willing to push them to the next level, even
in the great schools of District 92.
Higher Education – Our state residents should have access to higher education from
our state universities. It is necessary for our youth to be competitive nationally and
globally. As tuition becomes more and more unaffordable for our middle-class Texans
we are depriving a significant portion of our society, the portion of our society that is
most representative of who we are as a whole. For Texans that want to go to college, it
should be more than just a dream. It should be a reality.
Beyond these issues are many more that must be addressed in the coming months and
years. There will be concerns for our small businesses under new tax laws, concerns
about economic security, concerns with meeting our energy needs, and concerns about
public transportation and our roadways.
We need a government that will work together in an effort to make sure that
the people of Texas come first in all decision making.
Residents of Texas deserve a government that works efficiently and effectively to
promote the changes necessary for a better Texas.
Bridging Partisan Divides – District 92 needs a voice that can relate to and
understand the needs of the people. Then, the goal is to work diligently to bridge the
partisan divides in Austin so that those needs may be met. The only way to do that is
by supporting good legislation in spite of party affiliations.
Health Care Needs – According to the Dallas Morning News, December 24, 2007,
Texas is last for the number of people with medical insurance. We need to
continuously work towards viable health care options. For example, CHIP (Children’s
Health Insurance Program) should be available for all children in need and the goal
should be pushing for the growth and success of the program, as opposed to making
cuts that will reduce the number of qualifying participants. Health care should be a right
and not a privilege. Even Texans with money to pay for health care may experience an
unfortunate change in circumstances. They should have some comfort in knowing that
they will have access to continued health care.
Environmental Concerns – Many health care concerns could be resolved, or at the
very least minimized, by addressing environmental issues. With increasing
environmental concerns in District 92 and the surrounding communities, we need to
work towards implementing initiatives that promote a cleaner, healthier environment.
When faced with health issues resulting from these environmental factors, our most
vulnerable Texans are the individuals least likely to get medical attention because they
are least likely to be able to afford it or least likely to even know the causes of their
medical conditions. Why? The logical answer, they lack the resources for regular
examinations. Thus, they are more likely to visit the emergency rooms with serious
medical conditions due to prolonged exposure with lack of preventative care.
Public Education System – Texas still needs more funding for its public education
system. This is the only way that Texas can do better. According to the Dallas Morning
News, December 24, 2007, Texas is last for the number of people with medical
insurance, has three of the poorest counties in the country, and is second in the size of
the income gap between the rich and poor. This shows that our public education
system, as is, is not sufficient and that our people are suffering because of these
inadequacies. We have great educators, but they can only do as much as their
resources will allow. Our educational system is not where it should be for the year
2008. This is where funding is crucial. The truth is, there will always be a need to put
more money into our schools. It is a reality that comes with advances in technology and
increased challenges faced by our youth as they enter the competitive job market. If
we want to prepare them, we must always be willing to push them to the next level, even
in the great schools of District 92.
Higher Education – Our state residents should have access to higher education from
our state universities. It is necessary for our youth to be competitive nationally and
globally. As tuition becomes more and more unaffordable for our middle-class Texans
we are depriving a significant portion of our society, the portion of our society that is
most representative of who we are as a whole. For Texans that want to go to college, it
should be more than just a dream. It should be a reality.
Beyond these issues are many more that must be addressed in the coming months and
years. There will be concerns for our small businesses under new tax laws, concerns
about economic security, concerns with meeting our energy needs, and concerns about
public transportation and our roadways.
We need a government that will work together in an effort to make sure that
the people of Texas come first in all decision making.
| Building a Bridge to the Future of Texas |