Luis Acuña, Senior Policy Advisor

Luis Acuña, Senior Policy Advisor

Luis Acuña, Senior Policy Advisor

Posts

Texas’ historic $44 billion fund balance: How to leverage It

August 10, 2022

The largest fund balance in Texas’ history — $44 billion — is projected for the state by the end of fiscal year 2023, according to the Comptroller’s revised revenue estimate.  This historic fund balance, which is the amount of money the state has remaining in its treasury after all expenses have been paid for this…

Texas’ $44 Billion 2023 Fiscal Budget Will Be Largest Ever

July 14, 2022

The 88th Texas Legislature is expected to have the largest Fund Balance ever to write the next budget for the state of Texas. According to the revised estimate released by the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the fiscal year 2023 ending balance in the General Revenue Fund is projected to be $27 billion and $14 billion…

Funding Opportunities and Recommendations to Getting More Texans Online

June 29, 2022

The following remarks were delivered by Texas 2036 Senior Policy Advisor Luis Acuña at the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce hearing on June 29, 2022. This is a summary of his testimony on the Interim Charge related to the monitoring of HB 5 and HB 1505. Overview Texas 2036 is and has been committed…

Texas Embarks on Closing the Digital Divide

June 27, 2022
The COVID pandemic amplified the digital divide in Texas. It also cemented digital connectivity as a necessity for modern-day life. Broadband, or high-speed internet, provides Texans access to virtual learning, telehealth and telemedicine, online commerce, and much more. Today, there are an estimated 7.4 million people — nearly one-quarter of the state’s population — without...

Texas’ First-Ever Broadband Plan Lays the Foundation for Work Ahead

June 16, 2022

The Texas Broadband Development Office, or BDO, released the state’s first-ever Broadband Plan on June 15. The 2022 plan identifies guiding principles for Texas’ approach to closing the digital divide, synthesizes data and observations from the office’s statewide listening tour, and provides areas of focus for its future work. Also, the plan identifies the following…

Remote Work Provides an Opportunity to Relieve a Rising Cost of Living

May 18, 2022
The following testimony was submitted by Texas 2036 Manager of Policy and Advocacy Hope Osborn and Senior Policy Advisor Luis Acuña to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce on May 18, 2022. What to Know:  The turnover rate for state agency employment is at a 20-year high of 21.5%. Housing cost increases in the...
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