Strengthening Our Community 
 

Educating Our Children
“We must do a better job when balancing the needs of our public schools with our taxing needs. I believe Texas can do better!”

· We need a tax structure that is fair and balanced so that we can afford to increase funding for public education. Currently, middle income families pay twice as high a share of their income as do the wealthiest families. Tragically, our poorest families pay more than three times as great a share of their earnings in taxes as do the wealthy. Raising property taxes should not be the only solution to funding education. Educated children benefit all of us in Texas and the costs should be carried equitably.

· When it comes to safe-guarding and improving public education, Texas can do better!Teachers are one of our greatest resources and should be compensated as such. Currently, Texas’ average teacher salary is ranked 37^th in the nation. That just isn’t good enough. We must be able to offer competitive salaries to our teachers. 

· Texas has the fastest growing population of children in the country and all of our children must be prepared to enter the workforce. We must raise our current graduation rate up from the nations’ lowest to a respectable top 20 ranking. Our states’ future economic prosperity rests in our ability to provide Texas with a well educated workforce. 

· As a product of Texas public schools, and a parent of a child in public school, I am fully committed to ensuring that each child receives a quality public education in Texas. The promise of a free and equitable public education drew many of our ancestors to Texas. This was a radical idea at the time. It should not be a radical idea now!

· Healthy Texans are good for our economy. When children and adults have access to affordable healthcare they are more productive in school and work. School attendance, grades and test scores improve and graduation rates increase. An educated workforce is vital to our economy, and healthy employees result in greater productivity for businesses.

· Access to healthcare for all Texans must be improved. Our state’s uninsured rate is approaching 25% and it’s no longer just the poor who can’t afford healthcare premiums. We must address the rising cost of healthcare.

· Our seniors need help. Nationally, Texas has one of the lowest Medicare reimbursement rates for nursing homes and the vast majority of these care facilities fail to meet federal quality of care standards. Further, budget cuts have devastated many of the programs providing services to seniors. We must evaluate the needs of our seniors and work to restore funding to legitimate programs. 

· We must ensure that every Texan who needs mental health services is able to receive the necessary care. When it comes to mental health services, Texas ranks 46^th in the nation. This may not mean much until you, your child or family member faces a mental health problem. We must make accessing quality, affordable mental healthcare for all who need it a priority.