, Author at Texas 2036

Spending priorities: Texas’ historic $44B fund balance

August 30, 2022

This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter about educational assessments. Sign up here to receive this weekly highlight of our work. Big Moves: The largest fund balance in Texas’ history — $44 billion — is projected for the state by the end of fiscal year 2023. The balance is the remaining funds after accounting for all current appropriations,…

Texas’ water and wastewater infrastructure in crisis

August 25, 2022

The following excerpt is from remarks delivered by Texas 2036 Senior Policy Advisor Jeremy Mazur to the House Natural Resources Committee on Aug. 24, 2022. Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on this interim charge relating to the condition of our state’s water infrastructure. Frankly, I think the state of our water and...

Extreme heat: The hotter days ahead

August 24, 2022

Enduring summertime heat is a customary part and enduring memory of the Texas experience. This year’s summer has done little to dispel that impression. In fact, recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data indicates that Texas just had the hottest April through July on record. But for ice cream merchants, air conditioning vendors and the...

Educational assessments: Why they matter

August 16, 2022

This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter about educational assessments. Sign up here to receive this weekly highlight of our work. On Aug. 9, Texas 2036 President and CEO Margaret Spellings explained the critical importance of educational assessments during her virtual testimony to the Texas House Committee on Public Education. As the former U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret…

TRUE program: Reskilling and upskilling to economic mobility

August 15, 2022

The following written testimony about reskilling and upskilling through the TRUE program by Texas 2036 Policy Advisor Renzo Soto was delivered to the House Committee on Higher Education on Aug. 10, 2022. What to Know: The standalone value of a high school diploma declined over the past decade, making postsecondary education and training increasingly necessary for...

Health Price Transparency Is Here

August 9, 2022

This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter. To receive this weekly highlight of our work and important ways to stay engaged, sign up here. How transparent are Texas hospitals with their health care pricing? 🏥 Room for Improvement: Health care prices can vary widely in Texas – even for the same service at the…

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