Vice President, Communications
Merrill helps Texans better understand the research, data and policy choices shaping the state's future. Before joining Texas 2036, she spent more than three decades advising Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and nonprofits across Texas on strategic communications and public affairs.
Key Takeaways One in three adults (32%) have used AI for health information in the past year, with higher rates among younger adults (36%) and the uninsured (40%). For many younger adults, AI is becoming an alternative to a health care system they struggle to access or afford. Adults under 30 were six times more…
Texas lawmakers have 140 days every two years to pass legislation. That constraint makes the 18 months between sessions — known as the interim — just as consequential as the session itself. What happens during the interim shapes what lawmakers debate, what bills get filed, and which issues rise to the top when session begins….
Across Texas, nonprofits work tirelessly to meet urgent needs: food, shelter, childcare, diapers and other basic necessities. These services are essential. For many families, they are the difference between stability and crisis. Philanthropy has long played a critical role in supporting this work. Donors who fund direct services help ensure that individuals and families can…
Texas is one of the fastest-growing and most influential states in the country. The decisions made here shape opportunity for millions of people, influencing the state’s economy, workforce, infrastructure, and quality of life for decades to come. The challenges facing Texas cannot be solved in a single legislative session. Improving education outcomes, strengthening the workforce,…
Enrollment in Texas public schools in the current school year (SY 25-26) dipped below 5.5 million students, representing a 1.4% decline in enrollment from the previous school year. This marks the first year-over-year enrollment decline since SY 20–21, when enrollment fell 2.2% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SY 25-26 decrease is the second-largest drop in…
Travis County is staring down a projected $13 million budget shortfall, and the primary driver is not a new project or an unexpected emergency. It is health insurance. Last year, the county spent $2.6 million on health insurance premiums for its employees. This year, health care is estimated to cost somewhere between $14 million and…