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Voters will choose between Linda Howell and Suleman Lalani for Texas House, District 76 in the Nov. 3 election.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
For more information on voting and polling locations, visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
40 years working with state, local leaders on legislation, issues affecting families and small businesses.
Why are you running for this position?
HD 76 needs an experienced leader advocating at the Capitol for them, who is known, respected and through years of leadership has earned the right to be heard and who will represent all members of our community.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Texas families deserve relief from rising property taxes. I will work to prevent runaway costs and demand fiscal discipline so the government works for taxpayers, not the other way around. Priorities include: Making life more affordable, providing property-tax relief, expanding access to affordable healthcare and keeping our communities safe.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Rising costs are putting pressure on families, seniors and small businesses. We must work for a consensus on how to make life more affordable, expand economic opportunity and to create free market health care solutions. Protecting power grid, water supply, flooding and outside growth at the expense of the taxpayer.
What are your priorities for the future of Texas education?
We must insure Texas has the available resources needed to insure for a strong public school system, adequate salaries for teachers, a curriculum that challenges and inspires learning and growth, a safe environment to thrive and learn in, and the best staff, leaders and administration.
What will you do to lower the cost of living for Texas residents?
I will work for tax relief for Texas taxpayers. I am the only candidate in this race the Texas Governor’s Office has reached out to, to seek support to work with him and other Legislator’s this session to craft and pass.
Primary care physician, incumbent state representative (HD 76), board member for local and national nonprofit organizations
Why are you running for this position?
For years I felt frustration seeing our healthcare system fail people throughout their lives. In my practice, geriatric medicine, I saw people riddled with ailments that would’ve been prevented with basic preventive and routine healthcare. Because of this experience I’ve dedicated my life to treating ailing patients and ailing policies.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
As your state representative and a physician, improving healthcare access remains my priority, especially expanding Medicaid. I will refile my bills to weaken insurance companies’ grip on patient care. On education, repealing Abbott’s private school voucher scam remains a top priority. I intend to continue fighting to defend our democracy.
What are the biggest challenges facing this district?
Access to affordable healthcare is a critical issue. Many families are one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. Rising insurance and living costs affect even more households. My senior patients often struggle to afford medication. I’ll continue working to expand Medicaid eligibility for Texans who can’t afford to get sick.
What are your priorities for the future of Texas education?
My top priority is repealing Gov. Abbott’s private school voucher scam, which forced school closures across Texas, including seven in FBISD. I passed laws raising teacher pay and school funding to historic highs, creating new scholarships and curriculum covering civics, nutrition and financial literacy. I will build on this work.
What will you do to lower the cost of living for Texas residents?
Rising costs force Texans to make impossible budget decisions. I remain committed to expanding Medicaid coverage for Texans, lowering prescription drug prices, and forcing insurance companies to lower costs. I’ll continue using my position atop multiple affordability committees to pass laws aimed at lowering housing and healthcare costs.
