ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Economic justice refers to the way we design the systems through which each person earns a living; enters into contracts; exchanges goods and services with others; and otherwise produces a material foundation for their physical sustenance. Economic justice is the area of public policy where tension between “charity” and “justice is most often apparent. The world’s faith communities share deep commitment both to the charitable alleviation of suffering stemming from imperfect economic systems, and to policy advocacy for realignment of those systems to achieve justice.
EDUCATION
People of faith continue to be essential advocates for an adequate and equitable system of public education so that every child has the opportunity to fulfill their human potential.
HEALTH
Some health outcomes have genetic origins, but to the extent health-promoting and disease-preventing conditions and services are available to some people in the community, they should be available equitably.
POVERTY
In 2020, Texas’ overall poverty rate was 13.6%, placing the state 40th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 3. 8 million Texans were poor in 2020. White Texans experience poverty at a far lower rate than other groups: 18.7% of Latino Texans, 18.6% of African American Texans, 15.1% of Native American Texans, and 9.2% of Asian American Texans were poor in 2020, compared to 8.0% of White Texans.
NEWS + UPDATES
Add Your Name: Texans Oppose Public School Chaplains
Senate Bill 763 gives public school districts the option to replace school counselors with religious chaplains. SB 763 doesn't require school boards hire chaplains, but it...
Texas Impact Joins State Parks Coalition
This year, Texas is celebrating the 100th anniversary of our system of State Parks. To mark the centennial, Texans statewide will have the opportunity to vote on November 7th to...
100+ TX Chaplains to School Boards: Keep Chaplains Out of Public Schools
MEDIA CONTACTSManisha Sunil, West End Strategy Team / msunil@westendstrategy.com; 202-417-0171Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, BJC / guthrie@bjconline.org; 713-614-4946Joshua Houston,...
Labor Day Litany
Litany for Texas Workers for Sunday, September 3, 2023 (Adapt for Your Faith Tradition) God, we ask your presence and blessing upon workers, this Labor Day and every day. ...
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out.
What is a public school chaplain? Texas school children may soon find out. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 763, which gives public school districts the option...
Moms Need 12 Months of Postpartum Medicaid
Now that HB 12 ensuring 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage is in the Senate, your congregation or group can help get the bill over the finish line...but there's no time to...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Events
PROGRAMMING
Ep. 420 (Don’t) Forget Paris
This week, we are excited to welcome Texas Impact’s Climate Action Fellow, Rev. Dr. Becca Edwards, to talk about the President’s recent executive action, once again, removing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement. There has been a lot…
Read MoreEp. 419 Reflections from the Celebration of Public Witness for the 89th Legislature
Since 1973, Texas Impact has hosted a service or celebration of public witness on the south steps of the Texas Capitol in conjunction with the opening of the Texas Legislature. This year, the Texas Legislature convened Tuesday, January 14, and so the…
Read MoreEp. 418 New Year, New Resolve
We hope you all had a meaningful and relaxing holiday season and a great start to the new year; it is about to get busy and your advocacy will be critical in the next few months. We know a lot of attention will be paid to what is happening in…
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