@PlesaForTexas

We’re hitting the doors with some friends! 👟💙 Join the Collin County Young Democrats and us for our next Walk with Mihaela as we talk with our neighbors about the issues that matter most to our community. 📅 Saturday, September 12 ⏰ 10 AM Whether you’re a seasoned block walker or joining us for the first time, we’d love to have you with us!

Join us for our next Mondays with Mihaela on September 14! Come grab a bite, catch up with me, and share what’s on your mind. 📅 Monday, September 14 ⏰ 6 PM 📍 Angelo & Vito’s 7000 Independence Pkwy #144, Plano Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to stop by and say hi, we’d love to see you there!

North Texas is growing, and the choices we make today will shape what our communities look like for decades to come. I recently joined Sen. Angela Paxton, Chairman Jeff Leach, and Rep. Keresa Richardson for a conversation about the future of our region, from infrastructure and transportation to workforce development and housing affordability. When I think about where Texas will be in 2036, I think about the generations before us who invested in education, infrastructure, and opportunity. Because of those investments, families like mine were able to build a life here. Now it's our turn to think ahead. We have a responsibility to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace with growth, our workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow, and our communities remain places where families can thrive.

There are legitimate concerns about FEMA’s readiness, and they must be addressed immediately,” Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa said during a Tuesday press call to discuss the SOS report. “I’m asking for qualified leadership. We need experienced personnel. We need strong coordination between our local, state, tribal and federal partners, and we need a disaster response system that is focused on protecting people, not politics, because once the storm makes landfall, once the flood waters rise, once a wildfire spreads, it is too late to wish we had prepared.”

Texas has lived through hurricanes, floods, winter storms, and wildfires. Families shouldn’t have to worry whether disaster response systems are ready when the next storm hits. Preparedness saves lives. Readiness matters. That’s why I spoke with the Houston Chronicle about the importance of making sure FEMA has the personnel, leadership, and resources in place before disaster strikes.

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, the only Democrat in the Legislature who represents Collin County, said Democrats must do well in blue areas, while appealing to voters in the suburbs. “Republicans are most afraid of the changes that they're seeing in places like Collin County, in Denton County and in Tarrant County,” she said.

The Dallas Morning News covered the State of Plano Business, and I was glad to be part of the conversation. Plano’s success is built on partnerships, between businesses, schools, higher education, health care, local government, and community leaders who understand that growth requires planning. As I shared with DMN: “These issues are critical to the things that we’re working on in the legislative session. We want to make sure that we have really strong partnerships for workforce development, for our educational pipelines.” That is exactly right for this moment. As North Texas continues to grow, the Legislature has to stay focused on workforce development, educational pathways, infrastructure, water, transportation, and the institutions that help communities thrive. Thank you to the Plano Chamber for convening this discussion, and thank you to Children’s Medical Center for having me at your table.

Democracy works better when politicians have to earn your vote. In my latest Dallas Morning News op-ed, I wrote about why competitive elections matter, why gerrymandered maps weaken accountability, and why Texans deserve representatives who listen to the whole community, not just the safest corner of a district. HD 70 is one of the few truly competitive districts left in Texas, and I believe that makes me a better representative. Read the op-ed and join the conversation.

Press: Check out our story in Voyage Dallas

Press: Collin County roundtable highlights growing concerns over rising insurance costs in Texas

Texas House of Members Page

Mihaela Plesa for Texas Campaign Website

State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano, said lawmakers first need to understand how the markets operate before deciding whether any policy changes are necessary. “It is the responsibility of the Legislature to try to understand them before we make policy decisions,” Plesa told Nexstar. She said lawmakers should examine how prediction markets are regulated, whether they pose risks to existing Texas law, and what effect they may have on voter confidence and participation.