Salaries Increase, But More Texans Still Living in Poverty than before the Recession
The median Texas household income increased by $2,555 last year according to new data from the Census Bureau. The data also show that fewer Texans are living in poverty, although overall incomes and poverty levels need improvement to ensure long-term economic growth for all Texans. These changes are welcome news and mirror similar improvements for low-income […]
How Business Leaders Can Help Employees Build Financial Stability
In Texas, we pride ourselves on working hard and being self-sufficient. However, we have not done enough to correct the fact that too many Texans are stuck in low quality jobs that make self-sufficiency all but impossible. Specifically, 2.4 million Texas workers (26 percent of all private sector jobs) earn less than $11.62 an hour […]
Closing the Wealth Gap, in Austin and Beyond
On Friday, the University of Texas wrapped up the 2015-2016 Opportunity Forum Series, Uniting our Divided City, with a discussion of Austin’s racial wealth divides. Several of our staff attended and were reinforced in our commitment to advancing racial equity as a way to make sure every Texan is healthy, well-educated and financially secure. According […]
On the Road Again
One of the things I love about my job is the chance to travel around the state and meet Texans committed to helping other Texans reach their full potential. Last week I spent two days in Fort Worth, inspired by the can-do spirit of Cowtown. Leadership Fort Worth sponsored a top-notch gathering of business and […]
College Savings Pilot Program Launches in Pflugerville
The Pflugerville Independent School District (PfISD) is partnering with A+ Federal Credit Union (A+ FCU) and OpportunityTexas to bring Dollars for College, a financial education and college savings pilot program for fourth grade students, to Brookhollow, Pflugerville, and Wieland Elementary Schools this semester. Tied to Texas’ mandated financial education curriculum, Dollars for College helps students […]
College Savings Pilot Program Launches in Dallas Area
Two elementary schools in the Dallas region are testing a new college savings program called Dollars for College this school year. Tied to Texas’ mandated financial education curriculum, Dollars for College helps kindergarten students build financial skills by teaching them about college savings accounts. OpportunityTexas (CPPP’s joint initiative with RAISE Texas) is carrying out Dollars […]
Down to the Wire
Hundreds of bills have run out of time in the Texas Legislature, but a flurry of amendments and maneuvers mean several policy solutions – and some policy nightmares – still have a chance of passing. Here is a preview of upcoming action we’re watching and some of our work from the past week. What we’re […]
Proposed Bills Expand College Savings Opportunities
Imagine if every child in Texas had a college savings account. Imagine the peace of mind and confidence that accumulated savings in this account would give to students as they make the transition to college. Representative Marsha Farney’s HB 3987, which is being considered by the House Public Education committee today, and Senator Sylvia Garcia’s […]
Resources Help Texans Maximize Their Tax Refund
For many Texans, their tax refund represents the largest single payment they receive all year and serves as an important part of their income. Last tax season, 2.6 million Texans claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a tax credit for working people with low to moderate income, earning back approximately $2,600 per filer. The […]
CPPP Presents on College Savings Work at U.S. Department of the Treasury
During last month’s meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) meeting in Washington, D.C., I had the privilege of sharing our joint work with RAISE Texas to expand college savings in Texas. A commission Chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, and made up the heads of 21 federal agencies, FLEC is tasked […]
