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Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey addresses the 38th Annual United Women in Faith Texas Legislative Event January 26, 2025

Dear {name},

This week, Texas Impact partnered with United Women in Faith for the 38th Texas Legislative Event—our signature annual legislative advocacy conference for women of all faiths. This year’s Legislative Event was the biggest so far, with nearly 400 in-person and virtual participants representing more than a dozen faith traditions and denominations. You can find all the presentations and handouts from Legislative Event on Texas Impact’s website, and we’ll be posting on-demand videos of many of the sessions on YouTube over the next couple of weeks.

Read coverage of Legislative Event in Baptist News Global

Dr. Charles Brown updates United Women in Faith about ongoing impacts of the Texas abortion ban on access to care in Texas.

The theme of this year’s Legislative Event, “Hope: Miraculous Expectations” grounded participants in the task of faithful advocacy even in challenging times. Fortified with hope, women from all corners of the state engaged legislative offices on Tuesday in thoughtful discussion about issues including public education, women’s health, climate change, immigration, and more.

Senator José Menéndez meets with constituents during United Women in Faith Legislative Event

Also on Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee took public testimony on Senate Bill 2, which would establish a private school voucher program known as an “ESA.” Texas Impact and our member faith traditions oppose this proposal, and many of the Legislative Event participants took advantage of their time in the Capitol to register their opposition to SB2. Some of the participants presented oral testimony against the bill, which you can watch on Texas Impact’s LegeTV YouTube channel.

Watch United Women in Faith participants testify against SB2

Despite robust testimony in opposition, SB2 passed out of committee at the end of the hearing. Assuming the Governor declares vouchers to be an “emergency” in his State of the State speech on Sunday, SB2 is expected to come to the Senate floor for a vote on Tuesday, February 4.

Sign the letter urging Texas lawmakers to reject vouchers

Also on February 4, the Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to take public testimony on Article 2 of the state budget—the health and human services programs and agencies. On Monday Marching Orders, we’ll talk about funding priorities for Article 2…and it’s a safe bet Scott will be making some homework assignments.

The legislature is off and running—and so are Texas faith communities. We are so grateful for your work and witness. We’re here to support you.

Love,