Responsible Government
Even before being elected, Donna has been committed to holding those in power accountable and advocating for a more responsible government. She has filed bills to open up government meetings and financial statements, collect better data for policy evaluation, and establish electoral districts determined by the people, not politicians.
What Donna’s Been Doing:
Since 2013 she has passed and filed several bills requiring open meetings by state agencies to be webcasted.
Filed legislation to make the state put the required financial disclosure statements of candidates and officeholders online, rather than only being accessible by visiting a building in Austin.
Regularly advocates for and files legislation for a Texas independent redistricting commission.
Filed legislation placing a two-year moratorium on former legislators registering as lobbyists or being employed by a firm doing business in an area overseen by their committee.
Filed a bill to put a two year moratorium on former legislators spending their campaign funds once they leave office.
Anticipated the potential problem of a Speaker who had lost the trust of the House but could not be removed due to the interim calendar. Filed legislation, supported by other former Speaker(s) that would allow for an interim re-appointment.
Attached a rider to the budget to direct the Legislative Budget Board, in consultation with the Comptroller and State Demographer, to produce a report on state revenue and cost drivers for the next 10 years.
For several sessions, Donna has worked with a bi-partisan coalition of appropriators on legislation to better utilize the investment power of the billions in the Economic Stabilization Fund. These bills and constitutional amendments would have established long term funding streams for known future liabilities.
Passed a bill making it easier for a District Judge to remove a member of an Appraisal Review Board if there is evidence of bad behavior.
Passed a bill requiring the School Land Board to take steps to increase the transparency.
After several sessions of carrying a bill to place the LCRA under Sunset Review and bring greater transparency for water operations, Donna was able to get it passed by including it in a broader Sunset bill carried by another member.
Carried legislation in 2015 to create a Refugee Task Force to meet humanitarian needs along the border. The success of its hearing and interest from members made it possible for nonprofits to draw down grant funding and get comprehensive information about the extent of minor refugees in Texas, and what services they are using, if any.
Authorized state agencies to allow extended leave for state-employed veterans seeking medical and mental health care administered by the Veterans Health Administration.
