The Greater Houston Partnership’s 2025 D.C. Fly-In brought together an 80-member delegation of Houston’s business and civic leaders to advocate for policies that will strengthen our region and keep Houston competitive on the national stage. Over the course of three days in Washington, the delegation met with key lawmakers, federal agencies, and industry leaders, driving home the importance of policies that support energy, infrastructure, workforce development, and economic growth.  Below is an overview of some of the key conversations heard during the D.C. Fly-In:  Congressman Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, discussed key issues such as Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Pipeline Reauthorization, underscoring the importance of federal investments in Houston’s infrastructure, and the continued work to ensure safe and efficient transportation routes.  Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia shared insights on the impact of potential Medicaid cuts, the potential loss of critical research dollars at the Texas Medical Center, and the need to protect NASA. She also emphasized how policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and mass deportations could harm Houston’s workforce and economy, stressing the need for immigration reform.  A representative from Congressman Wesley Hunt’s office focused on the critical need for oil and gas policy reform and dredging the Port of Houston, both key priorities for maintaining Houston’s energy leadership and facilitating trade.  Congressman Brian Babin highlighted the Keystone XL pipeline, calling it an essential project for energy independence and job creation. He also stressed the importance of accelerating permitting processes to ensure Houston remains at the forefront of innovation and energy policy.  Congressman Randy Weber called for energy independence and immigration reform, focusing on the need to remove harmful regulations that impede energy development and secure the border. He also called for permitting reform to expand electricity grid capacity.  Congressman Dan Crenshaw discussed the budget reconciliation process, emphasizing the need for fiscal discipline, and highlighted energy challenges – including Class 6 wells – and border security.  Congressman Blake Moore from Utah emphasized the importance of domestic manufacturing, tax policy, and supporting policies like R&D expensing, underscoring how these issues are critical to maintaining a competitive economy for Houston and the nation.  Wesley Coleman, Director of Programs for the Southwestern Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke on the importance of flood mitigation and infrastructure projects in Houston. His remarks reinforced the need for continued collaboration between the Corps and local stakeholders to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen the region’s infrastructure.  Congressman Jimmy Gomez from California discussed smart trade policy and the importance of keeping investment flowing to support economic growth. He also touched on housing affordability, recognizing that addressing homelessness in the region is crucial to fostering sustainable development.  Congressman Pete Sessions brought attention to groundwater resources in Texas and the importance of water policy. He also highlighted government inefficiency and the need for fiscal responsibility, advocating for a reduction in government size to help manage the national debt.  U.S. Senator John Cornyn spoke about the national debt and its impact on national security, noting that we are now spending more on interest on the debt than on defense. He also discussed tariffs and the need to protect the Coastal Spine to safeguard the Port of Houston.  Congressman Michael Cloud addressed energy and fiscal issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions to meet energy demands. He also voiced strong support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and discussed the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Houston’s economic future.  U.S. Senator John Curtis of Utah focused on permitting reform and the need for a more predictable and efficient permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects. He also reinforced the importance of energy affordability and reliability, noting that fossil fuels have lifted millions of people out of poverty and remain essential to the global economy.  Tommy Joyce, Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs for the Department of Energy, underscored the link between energy security and national security, advocating for policies that empower companies to innovate and lead in energy development.  Beyond the policy discussions, attendees had the opportunity to tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, getting an exclusive look at the production of U.S. currency – a fitting reminder of the economic foundation on which Houston’s future growth will be built.  These advocacy efforts are guided by the Partnership’s federal priorities, including advancing Houston’s role as the Energy Capital of the World through energy transition efforts, securing flood and storm surge protection with the Coastal Texas Program, and advocating for policies that bolster workforce development and economic development. These priorities are crucial in ensuring Houston remains a leader in both traditional and emerging industries.  This year’s D.C. Fly-In reaffirmed the power of collaboration and engagement with federal stakeholders. As we continue to advocate for the policies that matter most to Houston’s future, we remain committed to working alongside our federal partners to foster a stronger, more resilient region for all. 

This week, the House Public Education Committee held two hearings on its omnibus school finance proposal, House Bill 2 (HB 2). Chairman Brad Buckley has indicated the committee plans to vote on HB 2 at its March 18 hearing. Ahead of that vote, the Partnership is conducting a deep dive into HB 2 to understand the proposed changes to funding formulas, teacher incentives, Pre-K eligibility and more. Below is a summary analysis of the proposed changes in the bill as filed. School Finance & District Funding Raises the basic allotment per student from $6,160 to $6,380. Increases required percentage (30% to 40%) of additional funds used for employee compensation. Modifies small and mid-sized district allotment formulas, increasing funding weight calculations. Expands provisions for school districts experiencing a declining enrollment by adjusting funding calculations. Teacher Designation System & Compensation Expands the categories of teacher designations to include "acknowledged" teachers. Increases the maximum allotment amounts for designated teachers: Master Teacher: Up to $36,000 (previously $32,000). Exemplary Teacher: Up to $25,000 (previously $18,000). Recognized Teacher: Up to $15,000 (previously $9,000). New Category (Acknowledged Teacher or nationally board certified): Up to $9,000. Introduces an enhanced teacher incentive allotment for schools implementing a comprehensive evaluation system. Requires districts to prioritize highly effective teachers being assigned to high-needs campuses. Pre-Kindergarten & Early Education Expands prekindergarten eligibility for 3-year-olds under partnerships with community-based childcare providers. Grants school districts flexibility in municipal ordinance compliance for pre-K programs. High-Needs and Resource Campuses Reduces the number of years a school must receive a "D" or "F" rating before being designated as a resource campus (from four years to three years within 10 years). Adjusts staffing criteria for resource campuses, including experience requirements for teachers. School Year & Attendance Incentives Modifies funding adjustments based on attendance, increasing the threshold for funding stabilization from a 2% to a 5% decline. Lowers the minimum required instructional days for funding eligibility from 180 to 175. Introduces incentives for schools offering at least 200 instructional days. High School Advising & Workforce Readiness Establishes a high school advising program to support students in college or career planning. Provides funding for high school advisors at $50,000 per full-time equivalent. Creates new advising support mechanisms for high school graduates during the first two years post-graduation. Charter School Funding Adjustments Modifies Foundation School Program funding formula for charter schools under Chapter 48 of the Texas Education Code. Adjusts additional funding per student in average daily attendance from $125 to $700. Adds new requirements for charter schools to receive additional funding, including performance standards and financial certification requirements. Miscellaneous Education Reforms Adds a fine arts allotment for students enrolled in approved fine arts courses. Clarifies rules on federal grant administration for nonpublic school participation. Implements new school district notification requirements for property value adjustments affecting funding. As the committee prepares for the March 18 vote, a committee substitute may be offered to adjust the bill before it is sent to the House Floor for debate. Stakeholders are also waiting for the proposed school district “runs,” which outline the direct changes in funding for each school district. Those details are expected to be made public in April. The data will be added to the Partnership’s Budget Explorer Tool when available. This tool will make it easier to search for individual districts and see the considerable impact of HB 2’s reforms to public education funding. For more updates and alerts on the Texas Legislature, click here to sign up for our weekly newsletter.