A policy roadmap for the next Legislature
This is a preview of our Texas 2036 newsletter laying out our policy roadmap for the 89th Legislature. To receive this weekly look at our work, sign up here.
Your Texas 2036 Roadmap for the 89th Legislature
This week, the voters cast their ballots to determine who would represent them in Washington, as well as the state and local levels.
With ten weeks to go until the Texas Legislature convenes, this week’s newsletter offers our data-driven policy priorities for 2025-2026.
Our Texas 2036 Legislative Agenda
Each biennium, Texas 2036 develops a board of directors-approved legislative agenda. This document serves as a guide to our work and the nonpartisan ideas and modern solutions that we will support during the legislative session.
Our 2025 agenda was formally adopted by the board of directors at its October meeting in El Paso and reflects emerging, data-driven opportunities to strategically invest in our future.
Here are our 5 areas of focus this TXLege session
1. Water infrastructure
Texas faces a long-term water supply deficit if it does not develop enough new water supplies and is hit with another long, severe drought. In addition, aging water systems in need of repairs place a significant strain on our state’s resources.
Policy by the numbers: $154 billion – the estimated investment needed in water infrastructure and supply over the next 50 years.
Policy opportunity: Create a dedicated revenue stream to address long-term economic needs for continuous, adequate water supplies and reliable infrastructure.
2. College and career readiness
Recent changes to the K-12 and community college funding systems have the potential to dramatically accelerate the number of Texas students earning a postsecondary degree or credential. However, these updates have not yet been fully aligned for maximum impact.
Policy by the numbers: 36% — the percentage of high school graduates who go on to earn a postsecondary degree.
Policy opportunities: Ensure the K-12 system is aligned with workforce demands and incentivizing opportunities for students to earn a family-sustaining wage upon high school graduation.
Improve the quality of mathematics instruction to prepare students with the math skills needed to be successful and competitive in the 21st century.
3. Health care affordability and coverage
With the rise in health care unaffordability and nearly five million Texans uninsured, barriers to coverage and affordability include awareness of programs, inaccurate perceptions of affordability, and inefficient, bureaucratic enrollment processes.
Policy by the numbers: 59% — the percentage of Texans skipping care due to cost.
Policy Opportunities: Improving transparency and streamlining state regulations to align incentives could make health care more affordable.
Creating express lane eligibility, modernize and optimize advertising regulations and evaluate a state-based exchange to address eligible but uninsured Texans.
4. Improving Correctional Education and Workforce Readiness
Source: Windham School District
This session, the Texas Legislature is set to deliberate on Sunset legislation concerning the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Unemployment and recidivism among formerly incarcerated Texans are significant problems that affect the state’s fiscal, economic and public safety goals.
Policy by the numbers: 43% — less likely to recidivate when inmates participate in a correctional education program.
Policy Opportunities: Access to workforce aligned credentials will help incarcerated adults find jobs post release.
Improve state data integration between TDCJ, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Workforce Commission to better evaluate outcomes and improve programmatic offerings.
5. Housing supply and affordability
Lower housing costs have historically been a competitive advantage for our state, but homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for most Texans.
Policy by the numbers: 320,000 — homes short of what is needed to serve Texas.
Policy Opportunity: To increase housing supply and affordability, reform outdated petition processes, reduce regulatory barriers and embrace innovation in building design and materials.
Child care, energy and AI are other focus areas
In addition to these main areas of focus, the Texas 2036 legislative agenda addresses these other areas of engagement:
Child care
To improve access to child care, the state needs to improve Texas Workforce Commission data systems with a focus on timeliness, interoperability and regional needs.
Energy expansion
Promote a regulatory and economic environment that will foster an all-of-the above solution to meet the state’s long-term energy needs.
Emerging technologies
Prepare Texas to lead in the responsible adoption and growth of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced air mobility.
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