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
If She Had Not Been Pregnant, Would She Have Died?
This week, as millions of Texans prepare to celebrate the birth of a healthy baby to an unwed teen mother of color, the Texas Department of State Health Services finally released...
Reproductive Rights and the Dobbs Decision: History and Context
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that substantially alters the landscape of reproductive health in the United States. As most observers expected, the ruling...
Carson v Makin: From “No Aid” to “No Holds Barred”
In Carson v. Makin, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Maine law that prohibited state funds from being used to teach a religious curriculum in its state voucher program. The...
The Unsustainable Reality of a Car-centric United States
As temperatures continued to rise across the Southwest, imposing heat watches, advisories, and warnings, so did the price at the pumps. Gasoline prices hit a record high of $5 a...
Austin Starbucks Makes Union History
A local Austin Starbucks made history last Friday by becoming the first Starbucks in the Lone Star State to unionize. The 45th and Lamar location officially won unionization by...
Remember Medicaid?
Remember Medicaid? Back in the distant, misted past of 2019, access to affordable health insurance was a constant legislative campaign, with Texas Impact and our partners in the...
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…
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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…
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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…
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