School safety may be out of the news, but it isn't out of our thoughts. The other month I attended the Senate Select Committee's public hearing on Violence in Schools & School Security. I wanted to witness what school officials, parents, students, law enforcement and other interested parties had to say on this issue.
When I’m out in the community knocking on doors and talking to voters it often seems like I’m giving a civics quiz. When I tell voters I’m running to represent State House District 47 they often say “I’m not in your district, I’m in 25” or “Oh no, I’m in 21.” They are thinking of Congressional districts, and within my state district, there are four! The 47th district encompasses a portion of congressional districts 10, 21, 25 and 35.
I recently met with three women who work for Refugee Services of Texas (RST) who updated me on the refugee situation in Texas. They said the number of refugees being allowed into the U.S. has fallen dramatically since Trump took office, and as a result, the number of refugees coming into Texas dropped by 70 percent in 2018.
I told a neighbor about this and she shared a friend’s Facebook post:
Article 7 of the Texas Constitution says, “SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS. A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.”
I've received questions about my stand on gun legislation, so I want to be clear about where I stand. The many mass shootings weigh very heavily in my heart and mind. I agree with everyone who says we can't just keep offering up thoughts and prayers. It's time for real change.
Your support made me the number one vote getter in Tuesday's Democratic Primary, and I’m one step closer to becoming the Democrat who will challenge Republican State Rep. Paul Workman in November. But that’s not the only good news.
