Doug Peterson

What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?

My knowledge gained in Public Affairs work, an MA and BA PoliSci, and listening respectfully to residents are the foundation of my pro-active nature. My desire for a strong, positive future for our communities, is built on my experience in a variety of settings. From blue collar factory work to NASA External Relations career, Bay Area community liaison and mediator, and activist with decades leading political and environmental solutions, like Exploration Green. All exemplify my qualifications.

Article 7 of the Texas Constitution states that “it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools.” What is your interpretation of what this clause requires of the legislature?

1. The legislature must assure that public tax dollars are used for public education. It must assure that public tax dollars aren't diverted from public to private schools.
2. The legislature must assure that our public schools are fully funded and that the State must resume a larger burden of paying for public education than homeowners.
3. The legislature must assure that our schools are safe and that children are not threatened and killed by gun violence.

How will you ensure that Texas remains a leader in the energy sector through innovation and reliability?

1. We need to diversify our use of all available energy sources including renewables, hydrogen, batteries, innovative infrastructure, and cleaned fuel energy.
2. Beryl shows again, Texas must legislate strengthening grid provider's infrastructure. Recent extreme weather highlights a critical need for improvements & communication.
3. Careless corporate production of energy, resulting in pollution releases must be stopped. Legislation and TCEQ must protect health of our communities.

What do you believe is the appropriate role of the State of Texas in ensuring that Texans have access to reproductive healthcare, family planning, and pregnancy care and postpartum services?

The current extreme abortion ban so severely limits reproductive healthcare that women's lives are put in danger. Since the Dobbs decision, infant mortality increased by 13% and infants born with birth defects is up 23%. This law must be reformed!
As a legislator, I will work hard to return reproductive rights to women, increase access to affordable birth control (access to birth control reduces abortions) and expand Medicaid giving working poor access to pregnancy and postpartum healthcare.

What other issues are high priorities for the people of your district? Please give specific examples of measurable actions that you will take to address these issues.

The petrochemical industry is large and near many TX129 communities and NASA. Daily, a large number of polluting releases occur. Corporations must be held accountable. Penalties should increase and releases decreased to reduce the health problems caused by industrial growth. Efforts to address major rain and storm surge flood mitigation needs to be a primary focus of the State. Costs of major projects like Ike Dike and Galveston Protective Park Plan should be funded by U.S. and Texas.