Hi, everyone, this is Charlene Ward Johnson. I am so honored to be serving as your State Representative. As your State Rep, I want to update all my constituents on how I serve you. I will send out a monthly newsletter informing you of what is happening in HD 139. This month will be the April Recap.
Budget Night
After considering hundreds of amendments, we voted to advance the budget at nearly 4:00 am the next morning. Within this bill is money to fund schools, healthcare, transportation, and many other important services in the state. Through the Appropriations Committee and floor amendments, important funds will be coming back to Houston and HD 139 to improve the lives of those who live here.
School Finance Legislation
Two major pieces of education legislation were recently debated and eventually passed out of the House. HB 2, which is a school finance bill that would invest nearly $8 billion in Texas Public Schools, passed with bipartisan support. SB 2, “The Voucher Bill,” was eventually passed by the Republican members (except two) with no Democratic support. The voucher bill is not about education freedom, it is about giving a handout to the wealthiest families who already attend private schools when these dollars could better be spent improving our existing Public & Charter School system. Since the passage of these two items, movement of HB 2 – the bill to invest $8 billion in public schools – has stalled in the Senate, while charter schools have already been signed by the governor. Even after getting the passage of SB 2, the attacks on defunding and destroying Public Schools continue.
Improving Public Safety
HB 5228, a bill I authored, was unanimously passed out of committee. This bill would improve data collection of traffic stops by local law enforcement. Through making these small changes, we ensure that people are safer in our communities and that local law enforcement is able to better do their jobs.
Protecting Black Mothers and Families
Texas women, but more specifically Black Texas women, are experiencing a crisis of maternal mortality and morbidity. Black women specifically were found to have the highest group rate of maternal mortality, a rate 4.5 times that of the lowest group rate.
Conducting a study specifically on Black women will help us further understand what is causing this alarming disparity and how best to start addressing it. The health of our women and young children will always be a focus of my legislative efforts.
Center Point Generator Donation to Acres Homes Multi-Service Center.
I had the pleasure of attending the CenterPoint Energy event where they donated generators to help the Acres Homes Multi-service Center during the major power outages. After Hurricane Beryl, many power outages throughout Houston caused major problems, and this generator donation will help prevent that from happening. This will be very beneficial to the district in the years to come.
Sylvester Turner Family Day in the Park
It was wonderful being able to attend and see so many people at the 17th Annual Sylvester Turner Family Day in the Park. It was a lot of good music and great food. I enjoyed being in the community and getting to spend time with my constituents. I want to send a special thank you to Ashley Turner Captain, for continuing her father’s legacy and ensuring that this event continues for years to come.
Please connect with us:
Email: charlene.wardjohnson@house.
Facebook: Charlene Ward Johnson for TX House District 139
X (Twitter): @RepCWJ
Instagram: @RepCWJ
Thank you in advance for your support!
State Representative
Charlene Ward Johnson
[Photo: electcharlene.com]
