Women across America are pushing forward and demanding change – in the workplace and at the ballot box. But whether it’s in Washington D.C. or Austin, policymakers continue to leave women behind when passing legislation.
Texas has the dubious distinction of ranking at or near the top in several undesirable categories: Seventh in maternal mortality rate, first in the rate of repeat teen pregnancy and first in the number of women (and children) who lack health insurance.
As Reform Austin previously reported, State Representative Dwayne Bohac (R – Houston) has placed the health of children at risk and has accepted campaign contributions from a man accused of sexually harassing his employees.
Bohac has also cast a series of votes inconsistent with Texas values. Bohac voted in the Texas House against women’s health, economic opportunity and safety. His record includes:
- HB 1098 – Bohac voted to override the requirement of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, despite the 56 percent decrease of the HPV since the vaccine’s introduction.
- SB 17 – Bohac voted to only continue “studying” maternal mortality, rather than taking more decisive action, despite the high rate of Texas mothers dying during delivery.
- SB 1, Amendment 118 – Bohac voted against expanding health coverage in Texas, which would have benefited more than a million Texas women.
- HB 1, Amendment 20 – Bohac voted against studying the pay equity between men and women working in state agencies.
When trends in health care and the economy cut against women, and with new urgency to stop public or private predation against women, Bohac’s votes reveal and reflect his values.
Dwayne Bohac can’t claim to work tirelessly on behalf of everyone if he ignores the needs and priorities of half of his constituents and all Texans. We need public officials to see, hear, and serve everyone in our state. We need to Reform Austin.
