Paul Workman isn't for working Texas women

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, women are consistently left out of critical policy decisions.
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 has previously reported, State Representative Paul Workman (R – Travis County) fails to protect working Texas women. Workman has cast a series of votes inconsistent with Texas values. Workman has voted against women’s health, economic opportunity and safety. Workman’s record in the Texas House includes:

• HB 279 – Workman voted against extending the life of the Women’s Health Advisory Committee, which was created to help reinforce women’s health plans.
• SB 1, Amendment 118 – Workman voted against expanding health coverage in Texas which would have benefited more than a million Texas women.
• SB 17 – Workman voted to only continue “studying” maternal mortality, rather than taking more decisive action, despite the high rate of Texas mothers dying during delivery.
• HB 2032 – Workman voted against increasing the criminal penalty for sexual offenses committed on public transportation systems.
• HB 1, Amendment 20 – Workman voted against studying the pay equity between men and women working in state agencies.
• Paid Sick Leave – Workman took an anti-worker and anti-women stance,  declaring he would file legislation on the “first day possible” to block Austin’s paid sick leave ordinances.

When trends in health care and the economy cut against women, and with new urgency to stop public or private predation against women, Workman’s votes reveal and reflect his values.
Paul Workman 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 the women in our state. We need to Reform Austin.