AUSTIN, TEXAS / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 30, 2022 /
Texas 2036's Strategic Framework shows how Texas stacks up across key performance areas and against other states
Policymakers and the public can track how Texas is doing to fortify the state’s future
AUSTIN, TX – As Texas looks toward its bicentennial, Texas 2036 releases a new data-driven roadmap for the state to be the best place to live and work.
Reflecting more than six years of research and analysis, “Shaping Our Future: A Strategic Framework for Texas” was created by Texas 2036 and endorsed by the 36 members of its nonprofit, nonpartisan board as a resource to the state’s officeholders, influencers and the public.
Released in advance of the 88th Texas Legislature, the Strategic Framework provides in-depth, cross-cutting data to inform key decisions about the state’s most significant issues – for example, is the state’s educational system properly preparing the next generation of the workforce? Are Texans confident in their ability to obtain affordable health care? What’s the state of Texas’ infrastructure?
“This Strategic Framework truly is what the people of Texas and their elected leaders make of it,” said Marc Watts, president of The Friedkin Group, Inc. and incoming chair of the Texas 2036 Board. “We will use the Framework and this data to measure our progress in addressing critical issues for Texas, helping to ensure that we make these aspirational goals a reality.”
Accompanying this second edition of the Strategic Framework is a new interactive dashboard, which allows Texas policymakers and the public to see the opportunities and headwinds and compare Texas’ progress against other large states.
“Our new Strategic Framework and the data it provides reinforce two critical principles – that our future resides squarely in our people and that we must organize for success,” said Margaret Spellings, president and CEO of Texas 2036 and former U.S. Secretary of Education. “The Strategic Framework shows that Texas must continue to invest in education and infrastructure as many other states have made strides to be more competitive.”
Texas 2036 stresses reliance on relevant, trustworthy data as a key organizational value, and the report lays out over 150 metrics to chart the state’s progress toward achieving these goals. In addition, the Strategic Framework provides Texans a clear look at how the state is doing against similar states across these metrics that the organization has identified as the keys to continued success in the future. These peer states include California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
“The Strategic Framework, with its goals and metrics, is a robust resource for Texas policymakers and leaders as they consider how Texas can be a place of shared opportunity through our bicentennial,” said Holly Heard, Ph.D., vice president of data and analytics at Texas 2036. “Our new platform is meant to be a ‘living’ Texas dashboard, where metrics will regularly update so everyone can keep track of our state’s progress.”
Among the framework’s key findings when reviewing the most recent performance indicators are:
A.J. Rodriguez, Texas 2036’s executive vice president, stressed that the updated Strategic Framework will help Texas leaders measure gaps and frame key questions to help set priorities.
“Since the launch of the first Strategic Framework in 2020, Texas 2036 has convened key policy experts and visited with leaders throughout the state,” Rodriguez said. “This new edition includes a lens for equity, rural communities, children and social determinants of health to help spur discussion and debate.”
John Hryhorchuk, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at Texas 2036, described the goals in the dashboard as “common sense and bipartisan, providing a north star for our policy work.”
"With an unprecedented $27 billion general revenue surplus expected, the Legislature will have the opportunity this session to invest in generationally-impactful reforms to improve our state and help us reach these shared goals," Hryhorchuk said.
A project of this scope would not have been possible without the contributions and collaborations of many people, organizations and businesses and their ongoing commitment to the state’s long-term well-being.
“For Texas to be the best place to live and work for the next generation of Texans, we must come together, think strategically and find the right solutions for our state,” said Tom Luce, founder and chairman of the board of Texas 2036. “I would like to thank our financial supporters, including the generous support from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and those who have championed our efforts from the very beginning, for making this comprehensive resource available for all of Texas.”
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Contacts
Merrill Davis
Vice President of Communications
merrill.davis@texas2036.org210 W 7th, Suite 1100, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 7132137297
www.texas2036.org