Ballotpedia, Donna Howard

Donna is a native of Austin, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in health education from the University of Texas.

Donna has worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals and served as Austin’s first hospital-based patient education coordinator. She is a past president of the Texas Nurses Association (District 5) and was a health education instructor at the University of Texas.

Donna Howard is a state representative for State House District 48. She assumed office in 2006 and has served for 18 years. She is the chairwoman of the Texas Women’s Health Caucus. She previously served on the Eanes Independent School District Board from 1996 to 1999.

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As a state representative, passed the Tax F.R.E.E. Act, which eliminates the sales tax for menstrual products, diapers, wipes, and other essential family products.

- As a state representative, passed the Tax F.R.E.E. Act, which eliminates the sales tax for menstrual products, diapers, wipes, and other essential family products.

Economy

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Supports reentry programs for incarcerated women to address trauma and connect them with jobs after release.

Supports implementing common sense gun safety measures.

- Supports reentry programs for incarcerated women to address trauma and connect them with jobs after release.
- Supports implementing common sense gun safety measures.

Public Safety

Prioritizes enhancing access to affordable healthcare services.

- Supports access to abortion.
- Prioritizes enhancing access to affordable healthcare services.

Healthcare

Supports school-based mental health screenings to prevent youth suicide.

Wants to forgive student loan debt for low-income earners and provide student loans without interest.

- Supports school-based mental health screenings to prevent youth suicide.
- Wants to forgive student loan debt for low-income earners and provide student loans without interest.

Education

As of September 7, 2024, Donna Howard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

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Donna Howard

Donna Howard is a native of Austin, Texas. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and a Master’s degree in health education from the University of Texas.

Donna Howard is a Texas State Representative for District 48. She has worked as a critical care nurse at Brackenridge and Seton hospitals and served as Austin’s first hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator. She is a past president of the Texas Nurses Association (District 5) and was a health education instructor at the University of Texas.

Donna Howard has served as a Texas State Representative for District 48 for 17 years. She is the Chairwoman of the Texas Women’s Health Caucus and serves on the House Committees for Appropriations, Higher Education, and the Sustainable Property Tax Relief select study committee.

Supports providing tax relief and making investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and higher education.

Believes state-funded organizations misusing tax dollars, citing "questionable purchases" as examples of financial misconduct.

Supports business leaders who advocate for candidates that believe in science, protect constitutional rights, ensure nondiscriminatory policies, and foster an educated, competitive workforce.

Believes in protecting access to transgender medical care.

Believes Texas' abortion laws will have broader impacts, saying, "Watch for others in the crossfire of Texas' abortion laws."

Opposes labeling gender-affirming medical care for transgender children as "child abuse" and reporting parents to state authorities.

Believes Texas’s abortion ban is leading to a "brain drain," or loss of talent, and urges companies to speak out against it.

Opposes allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions based on personal beliefs.

Believes access to abortion is crucial, highlighting the emotional trauma of women facing miscarriages and inadequate healthcare responses.

Believes addressing teen pregnancy is crucial for improving healthcare outcomes.

Supports sex education and access to abortion.

Believes the pandemic is causing a developing mental health crisis in teens due to social isolation. Supports addressing both physical and mental health issues stemming from the pandemic.

Worked at the Health and Human Services Commission within the Women’s Health and Education Services Division.

Has experience as a critical care nurse and hospital-based Patient Education Coordinator.

Supports comprehensive sex education and access to contraception to reduce repeat teen pregnancies.

As a leader on women’s health policy, nursing, and accountable government, Howard has passed significant healthcare legislation, including the Tax F.R.E.E. (Tax Exemptions for the Relief of Emergency Expenses) Act, which provides tax exemptions for certain medical supplies and services.

Serves on the House Committee for Higher Education.

Believes education is crucial to addressing teen hopelessness, saying "One in three teens report feeling of hopelessness about future."

Believes in giving back to the community after completing education.

Worked as an elementary school librarian for nearly two years at Vanguard Academy Mozart Elementary.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Texas House of Representatives.