Governor Abbott has called a special session to begin on Tuesday, July 18th to address specific issues not resolved during the regular 85th session. Many of these issues are very controversial, discriminatory and divisive. They are not real issues that Texans care about. I will be returning to Austin, and my staff and I will be working hard and fighting for issues that matter to you, my constituents of House District 27.

The Governor's controversial agenda includes the infamous "bathroom bill," anti-abortion legislation, sham "property tax reform," and several attacks on local control. You can count on my colleagues and I to play strong defense against these dangerous bills.

The Special Session also represents an opportunity for legislators to work on issues that matter to you and to all Texans. My colleagues and I will be working on our agenda, "Real Solutions for All Texans", these are critical issues to improve our communities, grow our economy, fund our public schools, including real pay raises for our teachers, and to insure that all Texans have access to quality and affordable health care.

I have already filed several bills for this special session to address some of these real issues that you care about. I filed HB 133 to raise the minimum wage in Texas to $15.00 an hour. We need to build a stronger economy in Texas and our help our working families put food on their tables at home. I filed HCR 17 urging Congress to protect and keep intact the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act "Obamacare". Making sure that every citizen has access to affordable health care is a top priority. I will be filing other bills in the next week; one to provide a pay raise for Teachers, counselors and librarians. In addition, other bills to improve the security and integrity of your ballot and our elections.

Please reach out to me and my office and let me hear your thoughts and concerns about these crucial issues that will be voted on in the next month during the special session.