Families in House District 37 are feeling the squeeze from rising housing, utilities, and everyday costs. Stephany will fight for responsible property tax relief that actually helps homeowners and renters, crack down on predatory fees and lending, and make sure state dollars come back to our communities instead of being diverted to special interests. Her priority is simple: families in South Texas should be able to work hard and still get ahead, not fall further behind.

Our region’s future depends on strong public schools that prepare every child for college, career, or the military. In the Rio Grande Valley, students already face big challenges in access to higher education and long-term opportunity, and our districts are under financial strain. As an educator, Stephany will work to fully fund public schools, respect and retain teachers with competitive pay, expand bilingual and special education services, and protect classrooms from partisan political attacks so teachers can teach and students can learn.

South Texas has some of the highest rates of diabetes, obesity, and chronic disease in the state, and many families still struggle to see a doctor, afford prescriptions, or access mental health care—especially when transportation is a barrier.Stephany’s public-health background has shown her how policy can save lives. She will fight to expand access to primary and mental health care, support community clinics and preventative programs, and push for better transportation and telehealth options so geography and income don’t decide who gets care.

From neighborhood flooding to colonias that still lack adequate drainage, HD-37 lives with the consequences of under-investment in basic infrastructure. Hidalgo County alone has had to invest hundreds of millions in drainage projects to respond to repeated floods in recent years. Stephany will work to direct more state funding to local drainage, water, and wastewater projects; modernize aging infrastructure; and ensure colonias and low-income neighborhoods are not left behind when flood mitigation dollars are allocated.

The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas, but too many families still work multiple jobs and struggle to cover basics. Stephany will champion policies that grow good-paying jobs here at home: investing in workforce training and apprenticeships, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and leveraging our border economy and ports of entry in a way that benefits local workers—not just big corporations. Her focus is creating stable, middle-class jobs so young people can build their futures in South Texas instead of having to leave.

In many parts of HD-37, basic infrastructure—safe roads, street lighting, sidewalks, drainage, broadband, and reliable public transportation—still lags behind the rest of the state. Transportation gaps even make it harder for people to reach healthcare, jobs, and schools. Stephany will fight to bring home state investments for safer streets, better public transit options, colonia infrastructure upgrades, and expanded broadband access so that every neighborhood in South Texas has the foundation it needs to be safe, connected, and thriving.