Texas Election Insights: Rep. Donna Howard on Primaries and Budgeting

State Representative Donna Howard (House District 48) recently joined The Building Texas Show to shed light on the intricacies of the Texas election process, the crucial function of the House Appropriations Committee, and her decades of service in the state legislature.

The Value of Institutional Knowledge in a Part-Time Legislature
Having served since 2006, Rep. Howard highlighted the unique challenges of Texas' part-time legislature, which meets for only 140 days every other year. She emphasized the importance of institutional knowledge, especially as the Travis County delegation sees significant turnover.

“I still have to relearn things every session. There’s so much to look at,” Howard stated, noting the constant need to assess the impact of laws and tweak policies.  

Demystifying the Election Process: Primaries Matter
With primary elections underway, Howard stressed the critical role of primaries in determining who appears on the November ballot. She encouraged Texans to actively participate, pointing to nonpartisan resources like the League of Women Voters candidate guide.

“It’s really important that people vote in the primary… there’s opportunities to say who’s going to be on the ballot,” she urged.

House Appropriations: Shaping Texas’s Future
As the most senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Howard detailed its vital function in crafting the state's multi-billion-dollar, two-year budget.

“We put together a two-year budget for the state... we’re looking basically two and a half years to the future, trying to make our best guesses,” she explained, emphasizing the committee's role in funding state agencies and addressing critical needs from public education to healthcare.

Advocating for Women’s Health
Howard also serves as Chair of the Women’s Health Caucus, focusing on women’s access to healthcare, maternal mortality, and addressing the historical lack of research involving women in pharmaceutical and medical studies.

“We need to have more women who are stepping into… becoming entrepreneurs and developing startups… that are going to address women’s needs,” she noted, highlighting a growing focus on women’s health innovation in Texas.

Watch the full episode with Rep. Donna Howard on The Building Texas Show’s YouTube Channel: 

Inside Texas House District 48 with Representative Donna Howard

About Texas State Representative Donna Howard:
Donna Howard is a State Representative for Texas House District 48, first elected in 2006. A former nurse and school board member, she is the most senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Women’s Health Caucus. Rep. Howard is a strong advocate for public education, healthcare access, and fiscal responsibility, bringing decades of institutional knowledge to the Texas Legislature.

About The Building Texas Show:
Hosted by Justin McKenzie, The Building Texas Show delivers in-depth conversations with leaders, builders, and innovators driving growth across Texas. From economic development to community storytelling, the show highlights the people and projects shaping the state’s future.

Media Contact:
Justin McKenzie
Host, The Building Texas Show
(210) 748-2312 | Email Contact
https://buildingtexasshow.com