88th Legislative Session
2023 Texas Legislative Update
The Texas Legislature convened for the 88th regular legislative session in January 2023 followed by two special sessions this summer. The third special session began October 9th. Legislators discussed everything from the state budget to immigration and education policy. While many of these issues facing communities across remain unsolved, the Texas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs team continues to follow and advocate for issues that impact Clubs statewide.
While we were not successful in securing new appropriations to support Boys & Girls Clubs in Texas during the regular session, we were part of advocating for the need for mental health dollars to support Out of School Time providers. Our partners at the Texas Partnership for Out of School Time were successful in securing funds to support this issue. The Texas legislature dedicated $5 million to implement mental health programs in community-based out of school time and invest in statewide intermediary infrastructure to support OST programs and professionals.
The Legislature provided funding in 2021 to help with student learning loss during the pandemic. Unfortunately, that funding source will end but the need to assist students to bring them back up to grade level is still critical. Additionally, the longstanding Club programs continue to be vital to the development of our youth and we will continue to work to find funding for remediation efforts as well as ongoing Texas Alliance programs funded by the Texas legislature.
We are grateful to our many state agency partners through which we work together to provide Clubs who serve youth and families the resources necessary to live in safe and vibrant communities in Texas. To learn more about Texas Alliance programs please visit our website.