How will you work to facilitate higher education to high school graduates, particularly those in financial need?
Education is the great equalizer that has provided many Texas families a pathway to the middle class. I want to create more pathways to education, employment, and entrepreneurship for high school graduates. As a public servant, I believe students should have options that enable them to serve their way to college in the military, in programs like AmeriCorps and apprenticeships.
I will support more government programs that pay a portion of education, like nursing school, if you commit to returning to your community and serving for a specified period of time. Investing in tuition-free community college is the best way to expand access to education.
For those graduates most in need, I support a more diverse Pell Grant that expands eligibility and has a cost-of-living element included for students as long as they are passing and working toward their graduation.
What will you do to improve employment opportunities for college graduates?
College graduates are important assets in the labor market and where their advanced education can be leveraged. But often, they are not able to find employment in their area of study and risk underemployment.
I support creating stronger pathways for college graduates into industry and critical jobs. I want to invest in paid college internships and fellowships that can play an important role in helping college graduates transition into employment opportunities.
I support investments in job training and assistance for college graduates through workforce centers and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
If elected, what new initiatives will you bring to the district?
I will support investments in mental health programs beginning in K-12 schools and continuing into the workplace. Too often, citizens needing mental health assistance are treated as criminals and dealt with by law enforcement. We must invest in cultivating more mental health professionals to serve students, parents and our emergency services personnel.
I will introduce legislation that creates a national rural medicine center of excellence so medical students, military doctors, and practicing medical professionals can collaborate on how to enhance rural medicine in Texas and throughout the county.
I will also support legislation to decriminalize and reclassify marijuana. Farmers and retailers could generate tremendous revenue which can then be used for other public safety and public health needs.
I was recently endorsed by the Brady PAC because I’m committed to decreasing gun violence in America. Being endorsed by the Brady PAC is a true honor because my heart is with the families of Uvalde. Their children will not be forgotten. I am committed to working with my colleagues to bring about better and stronger gun laws to keep weapons such as the one used in Uvalde from criminals and people with mental health issues when I am elected.
Finally, I will launch a local internship in my congressional office to assist with constituent services and other important policy conversations.
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Veteran, Marine Corps. Corporation for National and Community Service. U.S. Small Business Administration. National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
Campaign website: https://liraforcongress.com/about/
