As a Texas State Legislator, Sylvester Turner served within the Texas Home of Representatives from 1989 to 2016. Throughout his time within the legislature, Turner labored on varied important items of laws that impacted his constituents and the state of Texas as a complete.
Listed here are 10 of his largest legislative accomplishments:
Training Funding and ReformDuring his time within the state legislature, Turner was a passionate advocate for public training, and securing extra funding for colleges, particularly these serving low-income communities. He helped move laws to enhance training high quality and guarantee a extra equitable distribution of sources throughout Texas colleges.
Prison Justice ReformTurner was a robust proponent of legal justice reform, notably in lowering necessary minimal sentences for nonviolent offenses, particularly drug-related crimes. He targeted on making a extra rehabilitative justice system, lowering racial disparities in incarceration and making certain equity within the authorized course of.
Medicaid ExpansionWhile Texas didn’t increase Medicaid underneath the Inexpensive Care Act, Turner was a vocal advocate for increasing healthcare entry. He pushed for the growth of Medicaid to supply low-income Texans with higher healthcare choices, notably for these in underserved communities.
Inexpensive Housing LegislationThroughout his time within the legislature, Turner advocated for inexpensive housing, particularly for low-income households and communities of shade. He performed a big function in securing funding for inexpensive housing tasks and labored on laws to extend the supply of such housing throughout Texas.
Office Anti-Discrimination ProtectionsTurner advocated for stronger anti-discrimination legal guidelines within the office. He supported laws to guard employees from discrimination primarily based on race, gender and sexual orientation, championed equal pay for equal work and pushed to increase office protections for marginalized teams.
Help for Minority-Owned BusinessesTurner labored to create alternatives for minority-owned companies in Texas. He was concerned in efforts to extend entry to capital, authorities contracts and sources for African People, Latinos and different minority entrepreneurs.
Environmental Justice and Air High quality LegislationTurner advocated for environmental insurance policies to enhance air high quality, notably in areas disproportionately polluted. He supported measures to scale back air pollution from industrial amenities and refineries, notably in Houston, to guard susceptible communities.
Pension Reform and Public Worker ProtectionTurner labored on laws to make sure public staff may entry safe and dependable retirement plans. He supported pension reform efforts to strengthen public pension techniques and forestall cuts to retirement advantages, making certain public employees’ monetary safety.
Financial Growth for Deprived CommunitiesTurner labored on laws aimed toward selling financial improvement in deprived communities, specializing in job creation, native financial progress and attracting funding to struggling areas, notably city facilities like Houston.
Advocacy for the Houston AreaAs Houston’s consultant on the state legislature, Turner fought for town’s pursuits. He secured funding for infrastructure tasks, public well being initiatives and flood management efforts, making certain Houston’s wants have been well-represented.
As a Texas State Legislator, Sylvester Turner served within the Texas Home of Representatives from 1989 to 2016. Throughout his time within the legislature, Turner labored on varied important items of laws that impacted his constituents and the state of Texas as a complete.
Listed here are 10 of his largest legislative accomplishments:
Training Funding and ReformDuring his time within the state legislature, Turner was a passionate advocate for public training, and securing extra funding for colleges, particularly these serving low-income communities. He helped move laws to enhance training high quality and guarantee a extra equitable distribution of sources throughout Texas colleges.
Prison Justice ReformTurner was a robust proponent of legal justice reform, notably in lowering necessary minimal sentences for nonviolent offenses, particularly drug-related crimes. He targeted on making a extra rehabilitative justice system, lowering racial disparities in incarceration and making certain equity within the authorized course of.
Medicaid ExpansionWhile Texas didn’t increase Medicaid underneath the Inexpensive Care Act, Turner was a vocal advocate for increasing healthcare entry. He pushed for the growth of Medicaid to supply low-income Texans with higher healthcare choices, notably for these in underserved communities.
Inexpensive Housing LegislationThroughout his time within the legislature, Turner advocated for inexpensive housing, particularly for low-income households and communities of shade. He performed a big function in securing funding for inexpensive housing tasks and labored on laws to extend the supply of such housing throughout Texas.
Office Anti-Discrimination ProtectionsTurner advocated for stronger anti-discrimination legal guidelines within the office. He supported laws to guard employees from discrimination primarily based on race, gender and sexual orientation, championed equal pay for equal work and pushed to increase office protections for marginalized teams.
Help for Minority-Owned BusinessesTurner labored to create alternatives for minority-owned companies in Texas. He was concerned in efforts to extend entry to capital, authorities contracts and sources for African People, Latinos and different minority entrepreneurs.
Environmental Justice and Air High quality LegislationTurner advocated for environmental insurance policies to enhance air high quality, notably in areas disproportionately polluted. He supported measures to scale back air pollution from industrial amenities and refineries, notably in Houston, to guard susceptible communities.
Pension Reform and Public Worker ProtectionTurner labored on laws to make sure public staff may entry safe and dependable retirement plans. He supported pension reform efforts to strengthen public pension techniques and forestall cuts to retirement advantages, making certain public employees’ monetary safety.
Financial Growth for Deprived CommunitiesTurner labored on laws aimed toward selling financial improvement in deprived communities, specializing in job creation, native financial progress and attracting funding to struggling areas, notably city facilities like Houston.
Advocacy for the Houston AreaAs Houston’s consultant on the state legislature, Turner fought for town’s pursuits. He secured funding for infrastructure tasks, public well being initiatives and flood management efforts, making certain Houston’s wants have been well-represented.