Texas 2036 in 2026: Looking back while preparing for the future
Texas 2036 marked a great year in 2025, contributing our trusted data to the policy conversations that helped inform state policymakers in their important work of investing in the state’s future.
To recap, here are a few of the legislative accomplishments where our efforts helped:
- Up to $20 billion secured for long-term water infrastructure through Proposition 4, plus an additional $2.5 billion appropriated separately by the Legislature
- Major K–12 investments and reforms, including more than $8 billion in new funds for public education and replacing the STAAR exam with three progress tests that will give parents and teachers more timely and effective information
- New expectations set in law that a Texas high school diploma should mean a student is prepared for a career or college without remediation
- Strengthened community college reforms to better align programs with regional labor markets and opportunity
- Key structural reforms in housing, childcare and health care transparency that improve market performance
As part of these efforts, we are reaching more Texans and our work is becoming increasingly recognized:
More than 1,400 media stories featuring Texas 2036’s data and experts across state and national outlets- A newsletter audience now reaching more than 40,000 Texans in every county and legislative district
- Millions of Texans reached through clear, accessible digital content
- Dozens of speaking engagements bringing trusted information to leaders across Texas and the nation
Of course, the passage of good laws is only the beginning.
Our focus in 2026 will be on:
- Tracking implementation of major water, education, workforce and childcare initiatives
- Evaluating outcomes to ensure public investments deliver real results
- Deepening research in key challenge areas, including childcare, classroom-to-career pathways, health care affordability, disaster resilience and new technologies
Public debate can often be noisy and divisive. Our results throughout 2025 instead point to something encouraging: long-term, nonpartisan thinking grounded in solid data. This allows us to earn trust, build coalitions and help Texas move forward.
We’re entering a milestone year for Texas 2036 as we mark our 10-year anniversary. Texans, meanwhile, are beginning the 10-year countdown to our bicentennial. They are also joining in the celebrations around the nation’s 250th birthday. It all adds up to a moment for us to reflect on how far we’ve come and to plan for the Texas we want to see in 2036 and beyond.
Texas 2036 enters this pivotal year staying focused on what matters most: a future where every Texan has access to opportunity, prosperity, security, and the ability to raise family and their families for generations to come.
2025 was a year of real progress for our state, and we look forward to building on those successes in 2026.