Question 1

Affordability

Accepted Answer

Every week I hear from HD 63 families who are working hard and still falling behind on groceries, insurance, property taxes, and childcare. That shouldn't happen to people doing everything right.The Texas Democratic Party's 2026 platform puts affordability first, with proposals to lower costs through infrastructure investment, housing access, and tax relief for working families.The Texas Republican platform doesn't address affordability or inflation directly. Its main cost related proposals are tax cuts that would help some Texans while cutting the public services many families rely on.Extremist politicians have had 30 years to act on affordability and have instead focused on culture war fights that don't put money back in anyone's pocket.I will fight for affordable healthcare, childcare, housing, and human services. As your State Representative, I will:Push for property tax relief targeted at homeowners and renters, not just a talking pointSupport expanding affordable childcare so parents can work without losing a paycheck to daycareBring the same fiscal discipline I've used running a household and a private practice to how the state spends taxpayer money

Question 2

Healthcare Access and Affordability

Accepted Answer

As a clinical psychologist with over 30 years treating patients, I've seen firsthand what happens when people can't afford care. A manageable problem becomes a crisis.4.3 million Texans lack insurance, including over a million children.The Texas GOP platform explicitly opposes any further Medicaid expansion and calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act. Texas is one of the few states that has never expanded Medicaid, even though the federal government would cover almost all of the cost.The Democratic platform supports expanding Medicaid, building toward universal coverage with a public option, and expanding rural healthcare access and mental health funding.
Affordable healthcare, including mental health treatment, should be available to everyone. I will fight for affordable healthcare, childcare, housing, and human services. As your State Representative, I will:Push to expand Medicaid to extend coverage to hundreds of thousands of uninsured TexansFight to protect and expand access to mental health treatmentWork to keep rural and community hospitals open and staffedMy Stance on Affordable Healthcare

Question 3

Public Education

Accepted Answer

My family and I attended public schools.  My daughter is a special education teacher in Lewisville ISD. Most of my psychology practice clients with learning differences go to public schools and need special education services. For my part, I have taught in the public sector at the local community college. Public education from pre-kindergarten to college is the equalizer of opportunity across all income levels. Every kid in HD 63 deserves that same chance.I support public education for every student. School funding, especially funding for learning needs and teacher compensation, will be drastically reduced if school vouchers are allowed in Texas.The Republican platform supports "school choice" funding that follows students to private, charter, or home schools with no strings attached, and doesn't mention increasing public school funding.The Democratic platform instead calls for fully funding public schools, repealing the voucher scheme, raising teacher pay to competitive national levels, and providing universal prekindergarten.I will not support school vouchers that reduce opportunity for all Texas students while perpetuating systemic elitism and bigoted world views. As your State Representative, I will:Oppose voucher schemes that drain funding from public schoolsFight for competitive teacher pay and manageable class sizesSupport full funding for public education, including special education and mental health support in schools
My Stance on Funding for Schools                          Here’s Where You Can Learn More About Texas Public Education Where I Stand on Private School Vouchers

Question 4

Housing Affordability

Accepted Answer

Families across HD 63 are being priced out of the communities where they grew up or where they work.The Democratic platform states that all working Texans should be able to afford a decent home within a reasonable commute of their workplace, and proposes infrastructure investment to help lower housing and living costs.As your State Representative, I will:Support policies that increase housing supply and reduce barriers to building starter homesPush for property tax relief that benefits homeowners directly

Question 5

Voting Accessibility

Accepted Answer

Democracy only works if people can actually participate in it. No one should have to fight harder to vote than they do to live their lives.Voting in person and by mail should be easy. Extremist politicians want to make voting difficult to try to exclude people who wouldn't vote for them.The Republican platform calls for repealing the Voting Rights Act and would require a two thirds supermajority (rather than a simple majority) to pass constitutional amendments.The Democratic platform supports eliminating barriers to voting, automatic and same day registration, and a non partisan, citizen led redistricting commission.I will fight to make voting more accessible to strengthen our democracy. As your State Representative, I will:Oppose further restrictions on mail and in person votingSupport automatic and same day voter registrationOppose gerrymandering that lets politicians pick their voters instead of the other way around

Question 6

Gun Violence and Safety

Accepted Answer

Let's keep our communities and children safe. No child should be terrified in their own school.Gun deaths are now the leading cause of death for children age 1 to 17. Texas gun deaths have jumped over 50% since Governor Abbott took office, from 2,848 in 2014 to 4,389 in 2024. On an average day, 12 Texans die from gun violence.Texans overwhelmingly support common sense gun laws: 89% support universal background checks, 88% support Red Flag laws, 83% support raising the purchase age to 21, and 70% support banning the sale of assault style rifles.The Republican platform supports permitless "Constitutional Carry," legalizing armor piercing ammunition, and eliminating gun free zones. The Democratic platform supports universal background checks and restricting large capacity magazines and bump stocks, while respecting the 2nd Amendment.I will fight to increase the age that assault rifles can be purchased and for the ban of high capacity magazines. I will also fight for increasing gun safety measures to keep our communities safe. As your State Representative, I will:Support raising the minimum purchase age for semi automatic rifles to 21Support banning high capacity magazinesSupport red flag and safe storage laws, while upholding law abiding Texans' 2nd Amendment rights

Question 7

Women's Healthcare Choices

Accepted Answer

These are deeply personal medical decisions that belong between a woman, her family, and her doctor, not politicians in Austin.I support women's healthcare and reproductive rights and their right to decide what to do with their own bodies. These decisions should not be left to extremist politicians who deny Texas women this basic right.The Republican platform calls for abolishing abortion outright, banning sex education, and enforcing a 150 year old federal law to block mail order abortion medication.Research shows banning abortion doesn't reduce how often it happens. It mainly determines whether it's safe, and it raises medical risk for women with dangerous pregnancy complications. Expanding access to contraception and healthcare is more effective at reducing abortion rates than bans are.As your State Representative, I will:Oppose further restrictions on reproductive healthcare, including access to contraception and IVFSupport policies that actually reduce the need for abortion, like accessible contraception, comprehensive sex education, and support for parents, rather than bans that endanger women's livesFight to restore doctors' ability to use their medical judgment without fear of prosecutionMy Views on the GOP in Texas Trying to Restrict IVF

Question 8

Equality and Diversity

Accepted Answer

Every individual is entitled to respect and nondiscrimination.It is the responsibility of government to ensure that members of every ethnic and sexual minority group, along with those who are disabled, feel safe and protected in public, at school, and in their workplace.The Republican platform explicitly opposes same sex marriage and recognition of transgender people, and calls for barring transgender individuals from school district roles. The Democratic platform supports comprehensive non discrimination protections and marriage equality.While it would be wonderful if diversity were celebrated and valued, at minimum, people deserve safety and tolerance. As your State Representative, I will:Oppose discriminatory legislation targeting LGBTQ+ Texans and other marginalized groupsSupport nondiscrimination protections in housing, employment, and public accommodations

Question 9

Climate Change and Renewable Energy

Accepted Answer

I want future generations, including my children and grandchildren, to inherit a livable Texas, with clean air, a stable power grid, and summers that aren't a public health emergency.Texas is the #1 emitter of CO2 in the nation.The Republican platform opposes climate action, calls for abolishing the EPA, and would repeal the Endangered Species Act. The Democratic platform supports a statewide climate action plan and continued investment in clean energy infrastructure.Do we really want more lung cancer and other breathing problems from pollution, deadly August heat waves, and grid failures?I will support policies that get us on the right track for current and future generations. As your State Representative, I will:Support continued investment in renewable energy and a more resilient power gridSupport common sense environmental protections that reduce pollution related health harms

Question 10

Informed Decision Making

Accepted Answer

I believe decision making should be based on unbiased research, data, science, and logic, as well as input from constituents. All of this information should then be viewed through the lens of ethics to be fair and just. Every policy I support will be made according to these principles.

Dr. Denise Wooten

Advocacy for All Texans

Key Issues We Face