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Donald Trump’s push to freeze federal funds sparks confusion in Texas
(Texas Tribune) Texas cities, counties, higher education institutions and nonprofits clambered Tuesday to gauge the potential fallout from the suspension, later blocked temporarily by a federal judge.
Minimum wage woes weigh on fast food workers in Texas and beyond
(Dallas Morning News) A patchwork of minimum wage laws in the U.S. means income varies significantly based on local laws and cost of living.
Texas job growth outpaces national average as state adds 284,200 positions in 2024
(San Antonio Express-News) The latest figures from the Texas Workforce Commission show the growth continued in December, when another 37,500 jobs were added. That helped push the state’s full-year growth rate 0.6 percentage points higher than the national average.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Announces 2025 Texas Senate Committee Appointments
(Office of the Lt. Governor) To view Lt. Gov. Patrick’s committee appointments, please click here.
Job Gyrations
(Perryman Group) Despite remarkable resilience, Federal Reserve actions to slow inflation have had the inevitable effect of weakening the job market.
41% of companies worldwide plan to reduce workforces by 2030 due to AI
(CNN) Artificial intelligence is coming for your job: 41% of employers intend to downsize their workforce as AI automates certain tasks, a World Economic Forum survey showed Wednesday.
Some Texas business leaders are apprehensive about Trump’s pledged deportations
(Texas Tribune) “We wouldn’t survive” without undocumented workers, one South Texas produce business owner said. By one estimate, 8% of Texas’ workforce lacks legal status.
Chair Walberg Announces Education and Workforce Committee Senior Staff
(Committee on Education and Workforce) Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05) announced the Committee’s senior staff for the 119th Congress.
Meet the New Members of the Senate Appropriations and HELP Committees
(ACTE) With the 119th Congress underway, Senate leaders recently announced their committee rosters for this Congress. The Senate Committees on Appropriations and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will have several new faces.
TWC Announces 2025 Texas Conference for Employers Schedule
(TWC) Sponsored by TWC’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers, the TCE series provides businesses with a wealth of resources.
Continuing Resolution passes without WIOA reauthorization
The 118th Congress will conclude without having completed work to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This leaves our nation’s public workforce system once again at a crossroads as workforce development boards look ahead to the future.
Texas Labor Market Continues to Expand, Civilian Labor Force Exceeds 15.5 Million
Texas’ civilian labor force achieved another new record high in November.
Texas had the largest population growth in the US again in 2024, census bureau finds
Texas added over 560,000 residents in 2024, according to the bureau's latest population estimates. That's nearly 100,000 more than second-place Florida, and more than twice as many new residents as California, which was third in population growth.
A school voucher program in Texas is more likely than ever. Can lawmakers craft a bill they agree on?Some voucher opponents are ready to compromise; others are hoping supporters will fumble over the program's size, eligibility and accountability.
Trump’s promise of mass deportation throws undocumented Texans into fear, uncertainty
The undocumented population represents roughly 8% of the state's workforce, according to a Pew Research Center report.
The Long‑Term Outlook for the US Economy
The number of people in prime working ages (25-54) is likely to remain fairly stable, with rapid expansion among those over 65. In addition to the implications for the workforce (and the necessity of simple, sensible immigration), major federal budget items such as Medicare and Social Security are significantly impacted.
2024 TWC Annual Conference Recognizes Exemplary Texas Employers
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and local partners recognized employers in Texas that excel in creating opportunities for workers during the 27th Annual Texas Workforce Conference.
Governor Abbott Announces Over $15 Million In Career Training Grants Across Texas
These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.
Fitch Reports ‘Deteriorating’ Outlook for Higher Education
The higher education sector is expected to face “a deteriorating credit environment,” according to a 2025 outlook report from Fitch Ratings, a major credit ratings provider.
Texas leads the country in net migration
Domestic migration is contributing to the population boom in Texas. Between people moving in and those moving out, Texas gained more than 133,000 new residents from other states last year.
Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report says
Black and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are less likely to pursue a degree, the report found.
What to know about Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's pick for labor secretary
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor in his second administration, elevating a Republican congresswoman who has strong support from unions in her district but lost reelection in November.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Regional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
‘Game changer’: UT System announces free tuition for qualifying Texas families
Officials announced a groundbreaking financial aid program to help more students afford college.
Texas must support working parents
Legislature should find ways to lighten child care burden this session.
Cassidy to Chair HELP Committee in 119th Congress
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement following the announcement that he will be chair of the HELP Committee in the 119th Congress.
Texas names new higher education chief
Wynn Rosser will be in charge of guiding the state’s postsecondary education policies. He currently leads a foundation focused on rural East Texas and previously worked at Texas A&M.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick names private school vouchers as his top legislative priority
School voucher supporters say they have the votes to get a bill across both the Texas Senate, led by Patrick, and the House, which has repeatedly blocked such proposals.
Texas Legislature will approve school vouchers and boost public education funds next year, Abbott says
Last year, Abbott refused to give public schools a major raise without passing a voucher program. His tone was more conciliatory after Election Day.
Trump has won a second term. Here’s what that means for schools.Chalkbeat spoke to advocates, experts, and former education department officials about what to expect from the next administration.
Workforce Development: Reimagining and Modernizing How To Connect Workers With Good Jobs
A reimagining of the U.S. workforce development system presents policymakers with a crucial opportunity to prepare the next generation of students and workers for a better future.
Why workers and employers needed a Good Jobs Executive Order
On Sept. 6 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Acting Secretary Julie Su joined President Biden as he signed the Investing in America and Investing in Americans Executive Order. Or as we call it, the Good Jobs Executive Order.
TWC Kicks Off 13th Annual Statewide Hiring Initiative for Veterans and Their Families
From November 1-22, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is hosting the 13th annual Hiring Red, White & You! event series. This statewide event connects employers with veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses.
Texas Civilian Labor Force Exceeds 15.4 Million, Over 29,000 Jobs Added
Texas’ labor market achieved new record highs in September in terms of the job count and number of people in the civilian labor force.
Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says
Despite the group’s strong participation, Hispanic students graduate college at a lower rate than peers in the program, according to a report.
When Texas students don’t show up to class, it hurts learning – and funding
Attendance hasn’t fully rebounded since the pandemic, costing public schools millions.
Texas’ abortion laws are straining the OB/GYN workforce, new study shows
More doctors are considering leaving or retiring early, while fewer medical students are applying to obstetrics and gynecology residencies in Texas.
$20M Available for Out-of-School Time Organizations to Increase Access to Good Jobs
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the availability of up to $20 million in grants for national out-of-school time organizations to expand local work-based learning opportunities, job training, and career pathways for underserved youth after school and during the summer.
Here and There‑‑(Mostly Here)!
A number of studies indicate that many of the folks coming to Texas are in prime working age ranges, with a substantial number of them possessing in-demand skills and training.
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