As a former School Board President for Round Rock ISD, I helped put Round Rock schools on Forbes Magazine’s and Texas Monthly’s “Best in Texas” list. And this year, doors will be opening for new academy schools planned under my tenure that will focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) — the fastest growing job fields according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

As a single mother and full-time manager at the Comptroller’s Office, I worked my way through college. I understand firsthand how tough it is on a budget to get through school, especially with the cost of higher education skyrocketing. I will continue to look for ways to make college more affordable for hardworking students and parents, including freezing tuition rates and allowing for a tax exemption period for purchasing textbooks.

I know that education is the key to increasing Texas’ economic competitiveness.

In my first term as State Representative, I passed legislation to increase enrollment capacity at the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, and secured $805,000 to establish the Renewable Energy Training Institute, $16 million for the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Round Rock, as well as $350,000 for the Texas State University’s Round Rock Higher Education Center.