Campaign Update - Tuesday, March 2, 2010
FOUR YEARS AS YOUR INDEPENDENT VOICE
Four years ago today – Texas Independence Day – Donna began her service as the representative for House District 48 and has been going full tilt ever since. She hit the ground running in the special session on school finance in Spring ’06, started the bi-partisan Legislative Air Quality Caucus during her first full session, and was named vice-chair of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism at the beginning of the most recent session.
Donna continues to champion common sense solutions which will be especially important given the budget constraints Texas will face when the Legislature convenes in 2011. Last year at this time, the House was debating how to use federal stimulus funds. The result was a balanced budget that included about $12.5 billion of one-time recovery act money. With only about $8 billion in the state’s “rainy day” fund, our representatives will have to make tough choices regarding ways to find savings or raise new revenue.
These critical decisions will require honest dialogue among all stakeholders, and Donna wants to know what you think. You can call her at 512-463-0631, send an email to Donna.Howard@house.state.tx.us, or drop by her office in the Capitol, Room E2.810.
HOWARD HONORED FOR WORK ON NURSING AND PRESERVATION
Once again Donna’s dedication to issues important to the community has earned her praise. Through the appropriations process, she worked with Chairwoman Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) to secure $49.7 million to boost enrollments at Texas’ nursing schools – a $35 million increase over the previous biennium. For her efforts she received the Champion for Nursing Education Award from the Texas Association of Deans and Directors of Professional Nursing Programs and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UT School of Nursing.
Last month, Donna was also recognized by Preservation Texas for HB 2927 which she authored (and passed) last session. The bill strengthens and clarifies the authority of local governments and the state to intervene on behalf of historic cemeteries and other burial grounds. HB 2927 was the result of an interim study conducted by a subcommittee of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism that Donna chaired.
Everyone is encouraged to exercise their right and responsibility to vote in today's primary election. Despite the political rhetoric regarding voter ID, it’s disheartening that only a small percentage of citizens actually vote. In fact, voter turnout is usually less than 10% in primary elections. We are so fortunate in this country to have the opportunity to determine our representation. Thanks for doing your part.