Economic Development
Donna knows that a prosperous community for all needs a modern infrastructure and a coordinated region. She has been able to help bring about the conditions needed for businesses, individuals and communities to succeed. She led efforts to improve Loop 360, incentivized sensible public-private partnerships, mediated state development of local property and advocated for responsible corporate partners.
As an increasingly rare native Austinite, Donna appreciates the history that makes our region and state so special in the first place. She has secured funding for the historic preservation of sites in Austin and elsewhere, preserving Hill Country views and supporting more accurate histories when evidence allows.
What Donna’s Been Doing:
In 2015, Donna convened a multi-jurisdictional stakeholder group with Commissioner Dougherty, Austin Council Members, and TxDOT to get planning and funding started to upgrade Loop 360.
In 2020 she was asked to serve on the Chamber of Commerce’s Opening Central Texas for Business Task Force, consolidating communications, capabilities and needs across the region.
Has been a long-time member of the Partnership Advisory Committee, tasked with oversight and recommendations of the state’s public-private partnerships.
Required the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study the barriers that community colleges face in developing work-study partnerships with the private-sector.
Since 2016, Donna has served on the Capitol Complex Advisory Committee, working with local governments, the Texas Facilities Commission, state employees and Austinites to shape the future of the Texas Capitol.
Passed a bill allowing for research and technology based private-public partnerships with the state along a designated Innovation Corridor in Austin.
Donna is a strong supporter of student STEM groups. She’s attended local robot battles, hosted a day on the House floor when students showed off their inventions to legislators, and sponsored space at the Capitol for Girls Who Code, and more over the years.
Worked with constituents and the state to allow safe pedestrian access across Shoal Creek along land occupied by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Served several years as the IT Caucus Co-Chair.
Led efforts to secure $225 million in federal matching grants for broadband connectivity to every school district in the state.
Worked to pass legislation that incentivizes technology training and professional development for teachers - so the next generation has the skills needed for their future.
Directed the Texas Workforce Commission to modernize the state's Work in Texas website.
Has preserved tens of millions of dollars across several budgets for the Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, which brings jobs in the film and video game industry to Central Texas.
Passed legislation making it easier for institutions to identify which of their students are eligible for an associate's degree.
Secured additional funding for the Texas Pathways Project, a data-driven effort to answer critical questions about student preparation and achievement at the local level.
Donna secured $1.5 million in state funding to save Austin’s oldest building, the French Legation, which needed urgent structural repairs.
Passed legislation the city and state could agree on that preserved and clarified the Capitol View Corridor along Congress Avenue.
Worked with Senator Kirk Watson to pass legislation creating more options for preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course.
Has worked for years with Speakers, Representatives, and Republicans on accurate representations of Confederacy at the State Capitol.
Filed legislation allowing for a more structured review process of the accuracy of the state’s historical markers.
Passed legislation allowing for respectful archeological research on private lands.
At the request of constituents, filed legislation allowing for smaller TxDOT signs on Loop 360.