Public Servant

From 1986-88 Paula served on the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission and was elected to the Arlington City Council in 1989 where she served with distinction for four consecutive terms.  While on the Council, Paula took the lead on a number of important issues.  Among other things, she chaired the Education, Crime Issues and Economic Development Committees and played a key role on other committees and boards including Transportation, Housing, Downtown Revitalization and the Arlington Sports Authority.

During her 8 years of service on the City Council and 3 years on Planning and Zoning Commission, Paula earned the respect of her fellow elected officials and constituents.   Her efforts and leadership skills were instrumental in such endeavors as saving thousands of jobs at the Arlington GM plant, inducing National Semi-Conductor to significantly expand a major facility in North Texas, and building the Ballpark in Arlington.

In 2006 Paula was elected to serve as the State Representative for House District 93 where she served for two terms. In the Texas House Paula served with distinction on the Urban Affairs, Criminal Prudence, and Health and Human Services committees. Paula successfully passed significant legislation including Jessica’s Law, Greyson’s Law, Freeto-Medlin Act, and legislation making schools safer for students.

Jessica’s Law increased penalties on repeat child sex offenders and created a new offense for individuals who engaged in continual sexual abuse of a child including individuals who force children into prostitution. The law was named after Jessica Lunsford, a nine year old who was abducted from her home, raped and buried alive by a sex offender.

Greyson’s Law added screening for 24 disorders to the Texas newborn screening program. The law is named after Greyson Morris who died of Krabbe’s Disease in 2008.  If screening for Krabbes had been performed when he was born, treatment options would have been available for Greyson.

The Freeto-Medlin Act increased penalties for drunk drivers who assault or kill peace officers, firefighters or EMS personnel while they are in the line of duty. The Act was named after Grapevine police officer Darren Medlin, who was hit and killed by a drunk driver in 2004, and Fort Worth Police Officer Dwayne Freeto, killed when his car was engulfed in flames after being hit by a drunk driver in December 2006.

Paula co-authored House Bill 2532 to make schools safer by allowing school administrators the option of placing students charged with violent felonies in alternative education programs pending he outcome of their trials. Prior to passage of HB 2532 administrators could  not take action against students charged with felonies even if the victim of the crime were another student in the school.

Paula’s public service also includes: