Campaign Pillars

We owe our heroes more than a thank you for their service. Veterans have one of the highest suicide and homelessness rates in our country. We must create the necessary transitioning programs that effectively allow a soldier and their family to get acclimated into civilian life by ensuring that he/she/they have the skills, training, and support they may need on a continuing basis, ensuring a successful post-military life. We must address PTSD and create supporting resources and education for military families, strengthening the foundation within the soldiers' closest environment. I believe veterans have paid the ultimate price to our country and should be 100% federally tax-exempt. I also believe veterans should be a protected class, making it a federal offense to initiate harm to them, just as it would be for a person in Congress.

Houston has the highest number of LLC registrations in the country, and out of that great number, 68% are minorities. However, Houston falls to the bottom of the list for minority-owned venture capital, financing, business development, and funding. I believe that the government can help close this gap and create the greatest investment opportunity for an unprecedented demographic. Partnering with the SBA and HUD to develop campuses that allow minority entrepreneurs to utilize subsidized office space, receive mentoring and business development skills, while collaborating with the private sector to offer incubator initiatives, will reduce investment risk while increasing opportunities. This approach aims to create a culture of generational wealth and provide a positive culture shift with ramifications benefiting the African American community.

Universal healthcare is attainable, achievable, and the right thing to do. It is a right. Taking the war to health insurance special interests and examining whom they support to prevent universal healthcare is ground one. On average, there are 3-4 liquor stores within every 1-mile radius in District 18, but there's a lack of Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Nutritional education, along with access to healthy and fresh foods at an affordable cost, is where we must begin in the preventative health aspect. Access to healthier eating, clinics, recreational programs, and senior care are all components to eliminating our health crises. Companies must offer paid time off for illnesses, including mental health, so that Americans do not have to choose between their health or a paycheck. Prescription drug prices should be capped, and the market should be opened to international suppliers to increase competitiveness and drive down costs.

I support Congress doing its job and addressing immigration once and for all. Being punitive to any human seeking better opportunities is inhumane. We are a country of migrants, inclusive to the contribution different cultures weave into our daily lives. There are rules of engagement and guardrails per the Geneva accords that dictate acts in war to ensure humanity sustains itself during any crisis. The separation of families, placing harmful floating barriers in the Rio Grande, and more lack the threshold that sustains humanity and our moral commitment. I personally believe the practice of shipping migrants from Texas to New York, Chicago, and anywhere else is no different than kidnapping or trafficking and should be an FBI review versus the Justice Department filing suit. I believe these acts are criminal. Congress must address this issue head-on. Securing our borders in the south and north is fundamental to our national security, but increasing ways and means for immigrants to legally enter in a timely manner is key.

We all know that an overhaul, decriminalization, and bail reform are crucial to our American justice system. I want to bring the focus to the recidivism side. When a person is released from prison and back into society, what opportunities exist for them to become a productive citizen? The State of Texas has over 4,500 restrictions for those with a criminal record. I, myself, can be a successful businessman and even run for Congress, but I cannot get an apartment in my name or secure loans for my businesses. If a person has paid their debt to society, why should the invoices keep coming? I believe we should have a national bond program that allows individuals with a criminal record to buy into a system, similar to healthcare insurance, enabling employers or housing agents who would be hesitant to take a chance on someone with a record to feel protected against risk. If damages occur from the individual, then the business may file a claim and be compensated for their losses. Most ex-convicts just need the opportunity to be successful and become productive in this society. Why would we want to restrict that? This country was built on redemption from its wrongs, so we must afford that same spirit to its citizens.

As a community, there are too many burdens economically, culturally, environmentally, and domestically that we deal with without knowing how to address them. Removing the stigma of mental health and addressing awareness can ultimately change a multitude of challenges our community faces. I want to build and provide resources and services in the heart of our communities so that those suffering may feel supported in identifying what they may be dealing with. Most importantly, I aim to educate our community on mental health awareness and support loved ones when needed. This is crucial for our young generation, where studies say 68% of minority teens are suffering from some form of a negative mental health marker. Discussing, educating, and supporting will have a positive impact on negative statistics such as crime traits, drug usage, self-esteem, education, and more.

Tuition should be discussed as what it truly is: an investment. Supporting our young generation while transitioning in this phase of their life is critical to fostering and preparing them for not just their future but the country's future. Young Americans should not enter our workforce burdened with debt from education on top of the debt that failed leadership has imposed on them through our national debt. I believe the only educational cost should pertain to higher collegiate degrees such as master’s or doctorates. I am not a supporter of charter schools. Education should not be shopped; the investment should be more universally beneficial to all students regardless of their zip code.