The 88th Legislature Must Pay Our State’s Overdue Bills
January 20, 2023
Worker Power & Thriving Families
No matter our race, gender, or place, Texans deserve dignified jobs that support thriving individuals and families. We raise the bar for every Texan living in our state when workers of all backgrounds earn living wages, experience safe working conditions, and access essential benefits like affordable health care coverage and paid family, medical, and sick leave.
Our valuable state workforce is made up of working people just like you and me. But our elected officials are intentionally underfunding public services and the state’s workforce because they don’t want their wealthy friends to pay their fair share of taxes. This means the state government faces historically high staff turnover, which limits our access to public goods and services in many ways. As Texas’ population grows, the hole that our greediest elected officials dug to bury all of us will only get deeper. Our most powerful elected officials have an agenda to give their wealthy and powerful friends tax breaks, passing off the costs to working Texans and our families.
Read the full report
Worker Power
Everyone – no matter our race, gender, or where we come from – deserves dignity, humanity, and the opportunity to pursue our dreams. Worker power balances our economy and ensures working Texans share in the prosperity their labor creates.
Living Wages
As the cost of living continues to rise, many Texas struggle to make ends meet despite working full-time jobs. Only 50 percent of full-time, full-year private sector workers age 18-64 are covered by a workplace retirement savings plan.
Paid Family, Medical, & Sick Leave
Paid leave promotes healthier communities, supports our economy’s lowest-paid workers, and builds a stronger and productive Texas workforce, but approximately 40% of the Texas workforce lacks access to them.
Kids Living with Relatives
Across Texas, family members and friends have stepped up to provide homes for children whose parents cannot care for them (Kinship Care).
Cash Assistance
Helping needy families with children is both in their interest and in ours as a society. Cash Assistance, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides that help.
Recent Resources
New Report: Prevailing Wages Raise the Bar for Working Families
November 1, 2022
Testimony on the Pandemic’s Effect on the State’s Teacher Workforce
September 19, 2022
City Employees Deserve a Living Wage
June 15, 2022
Why Worker Power Is Critical to Our Fair Future
June 9, 2022
Comments on SB 1138
April 13, 2021
Your Support Makes a Difference
We believe Texas can be the best state in the United States, and our public policy work is an indispensable part of getting there. Your support improves equity in health care, food security, education, and financial stability.