Kathryn Hartmann

Kathryn Hartmann graduated from McAllen High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, Pan American in 1986, a graduate degree from the University of Texas, Pan American, and a doctorate from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Her career experience includes working as a physical therapist.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been a MS, HS and college Science teacher since 1987, and I became a physical therapist in 2005. I obtained a doctorate in PT with a specialization in pediatrics in 2011. I graduated from McAllen HS which is a public school on the Texas border. My children were born in the border town as well. I want to work for Texans by ensuring food availability for all children and elderly. I want to expand Medicaid and childcare assistance. I would like to tackle the health care system since I have been a healthcare worker since before 2005, and I know how expensive it has become for many Texas families. A main concern I have is funding for public schools and for children with disabilities. Texas is the 8th largest economy in the world, (larger then Russia, Canada or Australia) yet Texas children rank 44th in reading of all of the USA. Texas ranked 7th in education during the Democratic 1990's and has fallen under the republicans now rank 25th in reading and 28th in Math along with teachers pay is 44th in nation whereas Massachusetts scores number 1. Our ranchers and farmers are regulated by Washington and we export 1.3 billion in beef per year. Data centers are a severe concern for District 53 as our water resources are already limited. Rural healthcare has declined with many hospitals closing often leading to death. We desperately need mental health availability to all school age children. Help me help all Texans for food, healthcare, and public school funding.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Increase public school funding to hire exceptional staff and teachers, and increase resources for children with disabilities so no child is left behind and all children obtain a free and appropriate education to improve their ability to learn in a stimulating environment. Every child should receive benefits of the WIC program that include milk, bread, cereal, peanut butter, cheese and fresh produce.We need to be stewards of the Earth and care for our resources of water, land, wind, hydroelectric, solar and natural gas. We must have regulations on eminent domain to compensate the land owner and make the best use of the land using a formal market value and repairing all land and structures harmed by the government or private entity to ensure the home owner's properties are protected. Data centers must have regulations to ensure they produce their own water and electricity without decreasing the existing water or increasing the cost or the draw on the power grid for Texans. Space X is causing pollution to our wetlands and surrounding environment which can increase the expenditures required for disaster relief when a hurricane hits.Ranchers need to write their own beef-trade terms and farmers need to have more control over the amount they receive for their crop exports. Texas exports 20% of the total United States products, but doesn't get sell at a fair price which shorts the farmer. Texas exports 6.5 billlion annually in agricultural exports. We are number one in cotton and 2nd in both beef and wheat, yet the exports are not contributing to the gross domestic product of Texas meaning the profit is not going to our farmers and ranchers. My grandparents outside of Fredericksburg where sheep farmers throughout the 1900's. We must have more control of selling land to the chinese and foreign entities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public school funding, expanding medicaid and medical insurance as we have 500,000 Texans with no insurance, disaster preparedness, protecting water resources and renewable energy. We also need to feed all children from 0-18 in the summer months of which both the House and Senate voted to do, but Governor Abbott vetoed spending the money to feed children. We need to expand resources for children with disabilities. I would like to expand the WIC program to include the elderly who are living on their social security benefit only.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Moms for Texas, Hill Country Chapter of Texas Democratic Women, Citizens for Change 325, The Howdy Politics Voting Guide, Turn Texas Blue, Black Girls who Brunch