Building Texas’ Future: What the 2025 Legislative Session Means for Workplaces and Employees
At the IGC Institute, we believe workplaces are one of the last places where people from different backgrounds come together to meet a shared goal. That makes them powerful platforms for understanding how policy decisions ripple through daily life.
The 2025 Texas legislative session highlighted just how interconnected our schools, businesses, and communities really are. Thanks to the work of organizations like Texas 2036, lawmakers had access to strong data and long-term planning. Their results now matter for every employer and employee in the state.
Education and Workforce
Texas took major steps to align education with the future of work.
Early learning got a boost through expanded reading and math tools for K–3, alongside new investments in teacher pay and training.
High schools are setting bigger goals: every graduate career- or college-ready.
Community colleges are tying funding to real labor market needs, opening clearer paths into technical jobs and growing industries.
Incarcerated Texans will have more access to education, setting them up for stronger reentry into the workforce.
Bottom Line: For businesses, this means a better-prepared talent pipeline and more opportunities to support employees’ career growth.
Infrastructure and Resilience
Texas is betting big on the future of water and energy.
A $22.6 billion commitment over 20 years will secure new water supplies and fix aging infrastructure.
Energy policy got more diverse, with funding for advanced nuclear, streamlined geothermal rules, and continued solar and wind expansion.
Wildfire prevention and response is also stronger, with new tools for fire departments across the state.
Bottom Line: Employers depend on stable infrastructure. These investments directly impact long-term competitiveness, business continuity, and community resilience.
Health, Housing, and Childcare
Health care transparency took a leap forward with new funding for the All-Payor Claims Database, helping the state pinpoint more affordable and effective care.
Childcare reform is underway with streamlined oversight, a Governor-led task force, and better data systems.
Housing supply will expand as zoning barriers are eased, making it easier to build smaller-lot homes, single-stair apartments, and convert unused commercial spaces.
Bottom Line: These are real-world issues for employees. When workers can access affordable healthcare, stable housing, and reliable childcare, workplaces thrive.
Government Performance and Accountability
Texas also modernized how it governs itself:
The new Texas Cyber Command is safeguarding data after major breaches affected millions.
Foster care and state agency systems are being upgraded with modern IT and cross-agency data tools.
Sunset reviews now happen mid-cycle, with stronger performance measures to hold agencies accountable.
Bottom Line: For companies, this means more stability and security in the systems employees interact with every day.
The Bottom Line for You
The 2025 legislative session shows what’s possible when data, policy, and long-term thinking align. For employers, the outcomes touch everything from talent pipelines to childcare access, water supply, and cyber protection.
At IGC Institute, we’ll continue to track these changes, translate them for workplaces, and help leaders see where their role matters most. Because when businesses understand the big picture, they can better support their employees, their communities, and the future of Texas.