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
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...
Abortion 1-Pager: The Life of the Mother Matters
HB 1280, Texas’ abortion ban, which the Legislature passed in 2021 and went into effect in August 2022, creates an exception for cases when the pregnancy causes a "life...
Take Action for Reproductive Rights
Image: Rosa Rolanda, Autorretrato 1952Get these bills moving! The following bills have not been scheduled for committee hearings yet. These bills would help to mitigate the...
44: How Did We Get Here? Unpacking the Origins of the Vaccines Controversy
This week we welcome Terri Burke, Executive Director of the Immunization Partnership, to talk about the importance of vaccinations–one of the 10 major advances in public health...
Tell Your Reproductive Rights Story.
Every person has a story. Your story is what you tell someone about an experience you had. It might be short or long; it might be about an experience that made you happy...or it...
UPCOMING EVENTS
Events
PROGRAMMING
Ep. 425 “Do Something to Show You Care:” Perspectives from the Gun Sense Majority
This week, we are joined by several of the speakers and participants in the Preventing Gun Violence Advocacy Day. First we talk with Jasir Rahman, a student at Rice University and Texas Youth Advocacy Coordinator with Team ENOUGH. Later in the…
Read More
Ep. 424 This is Not Done: The Fight to Stop School Vouchers
This week we are excited to bring you content from Texas Impact’s Public School Defenders’ Lobby Day. We are joined by State Representative Gina Hinojosa, House District 49, while walking back to the Capitol after she addressed the Public…
Read More
Ep.423 Voucher Pop Quiz with Sen. Sarah Eckhardt
This week we have an exciting episode for you as we are recording live from the Capitol office of Senator Sarah Eckhardt. Last week, the Senate passed SB 2, a school voucher bill that would give a $10,000 voucher to students to attend private…
Read More