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Texans Surveyed on Pressing Policy Issues
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A new statewide survey series explores what Texans think about the top legislative issues facing state lawmakers during the regular session of the 89th Texas Legislature. In Texas Legislative Issues 2025, Hobby School researchers Renée Cross and Mark P. Jones authored six reports on budget priorities and key policy issue areas. Media coverage of the findings included more than 140 citations, with mentions in prominent national, statewide and local outlets, such as NPR, MSN, Spectrum News, Newsweek, The Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, Texas Tribune and Houston Public Media. The report authors shared key survey findings on gun control legislation in a Houston Chronicle opinion editorial.
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The first report focused on Texans' saving and spending preferences amid a $24 billion budget surplus for the biennial lawmaking session. Half of Texans said homeowner property tax relief is the highest legislative priority.
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The second report asked Texans to weigh in on immigration policies and evaluations of border security. Texans support allowing some undocumented immigrants to stay, with increased deportations for those convicted of crimes.
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The third report examined the legalization of gambling and marijuana. The findings indicate that a majority of Texans support easing restrictions on these contentious issues, addressing differences in opinion based on demographics.
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The fourth report asked where Texans stand on abortion and gun control legislation. Texans overwhelmingly support several common-sense gun control reforms. 49% of Texans want the Texas Legislature to pass legislation to make it easier to obtain an abortion in the state, 13% want legislation passed to make it harder, and 38% want to maintain the status quo under which abortion is only legal if the woman's life is at risk.
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The fifth report asked Texans about election reform proposals, government trust and favorability ratings of leading political figures. Texans give high marks to election administration across the state.
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The last report in the series looks at U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s re-election prospects, how other potential primary candidates fare and the favorability ratings of leading political figures among GOP likely voters in the state.
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Inside the Texas Capitol with State Sen. Molly Cook
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The Hobby Talks podcast returns on Feb. 20 with Texas state Sen. Molly Cook sharing her policy priorities during her first legislative session, from public education and reliable energy to expanding Medicare and other healthcare equity issues. The freshman state lawmaker will share what drove her to run for public office and how her work and background as an emergency room nurse and community organizer translate to her policy agenda at the Texas Capitol. Sen. Cook will give insight into what Texans can expect from the 89th Texas Legislature and her advice for students interested in a public service career.
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Community Celebrates Public Service and Supports Hobby Fellows Program
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Houston Mayor John Whitmire credits a University of Houston professor for his start in public service. At the annual luncheon benefiting the Hobby Fellows program, Mayor Whitmire sat down with that professor, Richard Murray, for an insightful conversation on the mayor's first year as chief executive officer at Houston City Hall. They traced Mayor Whitmire's run for public office to Murray's political science class, taking the audience through his journey from state lawmaker to the leader of a major city with complex challenges, ranging from homelessness and public safety to infrastructure. A community of supporters gathered to hear the Houston native and lifelong public servant reflect on his administration's priorities and his vision and strategies for shaping Houston's future. Named for the school's founder, former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, Jr., the Hobby Fellows immerse themselves in state policymaking and government, working in legislative offices and living in Austin during the biennial session. Longtime Hobby School Advisory Board member Kathryn McNiel chaired this year's event, which was spearheaded by Program Director Jessica Ruland O'Connor. Watch a clip of the discussion and view the photo album at uh.edu/hobby/luncheon2025.
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Texas Metropolitan Blueprint Puts Forth Policy Recommendations
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The Texas Metropolitan Blueprint outlines an actionable five-year plan to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the state's 26 metropolitan areas, where 90% of Texans now live. The Blueprint uses a cross-sector approach to align policy and action, drawing from the insights of more than 175 business, government and nonprofit leaders in Texas. Researchers at the LBJ School Urban Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, the Hobby School at the University of Houston and the George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative identified 27 policy recommendations guided by principles prioritizing innovation, talent-driven growth and transforming global challenges into local opportunities. The report authors at the Hobby School include Renée Cross, Pablo M. Pinto and Maria P. Perez Argüelles. The effort is a follow-up to the 2021 Texas Metropolitan Blueprint, which also brought together public and private sector leaders. “The Texas Metro Blueprint outlines key strategies and policies for state, local and business leaders to consider while providing an action-oriented playbook with clear steps and priorities, says Pablo M. Pinto, director for the Center for Public Policy at the Hobby School. “Advancing this plan will position Texas metros as leaders in economic and social innovation—both now and in the future.” As state legislators meet for the 2025 legislative session, the public is invited to A Blueprint for Texas Cities: Growth, Challenges and Opportunities, a daylong symposium at the University of Houston-Downtown on March 5. The symposium will feature report highlights and engaging panels hosted by the Texas Tribune.
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Public Service Professionals Honored at March Luncheon
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The Master of Public Administration program will recognize local public servants serving their communities at the 14th Annual Public Officials of the Year Awards on Friday, March 21 at noon. A networking reception will occur before the luncheon at 11 a.m. The honorees will be celebrated for being problem solvers, innovators and ethical leaders who improve the lives of others through their careers in public service in the Houston area. The awards ceremony benefits the scholarship fund for Master of Public Administration candidates and underscores the graduate program's public service principles. Learn about individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities. Signature sponsors will be recognized for supporting the annual luncheon and public affairs education.
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Ethics and Leadership Center Hosts February Lecture
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The Elizabeth D. Rockwell Center on Ethics and Leadership will host public lectures featuring national experts this spring, including renowned political philosopher Elizabeth Anderson. Anderson will deliver the 2025 Richard Gelwick Endowed Lecture on how modern American society thinks about work and socio-economic policies. During her campus lecture on Thursday, Feb. 27, the University of Michigan professor will share insights into the history of the political economy, the original goals of the work ethic, and how this examination can inform today's thinking around equality, jobs and work conditions. Anderson's work explores issues intersecting social justice, equality and democracy, drawing from problems in actual situations faced by everyday people. In her latest book, "Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic Against the Workers," she calls for worker dignity and reclaiming the work ethic in American democracy.
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Civic Houston Interns Take on Spring Assignments
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The spring 2025 Civic Houston Interns started the semester with an orientation about their office assignments, professionalism, civic engagement and volunteerism. Forty-six University of Houston students from different academic disciplines are working as part-time interns in Houston-area government, nonprofit and private offices. Nine are returning Civic Houston Interns, two are military veterans, and about half are first-generation college students. In addition to their weekly office hours, Civic Houston Interns learn about the issues that affect their communities through classroom speakers and volunteering with local organizations focused on several regional needs, from food insecurity and animal welfare to the environment. Experiential learning takes many forms at the Hobby School, engaging students with hands-on experience and connecting the theory and knowledge they learn in the classroom to various aspects of public service. Program Director Jessica Ruland O’Connor leads the undergraduate internship programs.
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Executive Training Program Introduces 2025-2026 Cohort
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The Hobby School welcomed 30 members of the 2025-2026 Certified Public Manager program, the executive training program for public sector professionals. Participants represent government, nonprofit and higher education entities who work in administration, policing, infrastructure, emergency management and utility services. The seven-track, 14-month program brings participants together for monthly meetings through 2026, learning to sharpen their administrative skills, advance best practices and network with peers contributing to the ways our governments and services work more effectively. Program Director Emily Janowski co-directs the program with Arquella Hargrove, a professional executive management consultant.
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Dean Jim Granato and Associate Dean Sunny Wong co-authored an opinion editorial for the Houston Business Journal on the effectiveness of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The editorial explains that despite obstacles embedded in our democratic processes, DOGE's impact could differ from previous presidential administration efforts to overhaul the government bureaucracy and streamline federal spending due to the communications landscape. In "Communications Could Determine DOGE's Fate," the Hobby School leaders urged residents to make their opinions heard in real time about DOGE's efficiency mission and other new initiatives under consideration by the second Trump administration. The media attention on Texas Legislative Issues 2025 focused on where voters landed on topics ranging from immigration and border security to public education and gambling policies. The reports were featured in national media outlets such as NPR and regionally across major Texas cities such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Other Hobby School expert citations included comments from Senior Executive Director Renée Cross on Houston Public Media's "Houston Matters with Craig Cohen," covering the latest political developments, and in a Houston Business Journal article on gambling in Texas. A Hobby School mention also included Texas Standard coverage of a new biography about the school's namesake.
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Hobby School Happenings captures lectures, events, application deadlines, programs and collaborations hosted or co-sponsored by the Hobby School and its centers. Mark your calendars and join us for the next Hobby School happening. Thursday, Feb. 20
Hobby Talks Podcast with State Sen. Molly Cook
Listen. Subscribe. Learn more. Thursday, Feb. 27, 4-6 p.m.
Rethinking the Workplace: Work Ethic and the Post-Work Ethic
2025 Richard Gelwick Endowed Lecture
Elizabeth Anderson, University of Michigan
Rockwell Pavilion, M.D. Anderson Library
Register Saturday, March 1
Fall 2025 Priority Deadline for Graduate Program Applicants
Learn More Monday, March 3
Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship Application Deadline
Apply Tuesday, March 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Graduate Program Information Session
Virtual Wednesday, March 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
A Blueprint for Texas Cities: Growth, Challenges and Opportunities
Hosted by the Texas Tribune
University of Houston-Downtown, A300 Special Events Center
Register Wednesday, March 5, 9 a.m.
Houston Matters Political Roundup with Renée Cross
Listen Online March 7
UH Giving Day Benefiting the Harris Fellows program
Give Online Friday, March 21, Noon
2025 Public Officials of the Year Awards Luncheon
Conrad N. Hilton Ballroom, Hilton University of Houston
Sponsor and Ticket Information Monday, March 31, 5 p.m.
Spring Pi Alpha Alpha Induction Ceremony
Bates Law Building, Heritage Room (Room 201)
Information Friday, April 4
Harris Fellows Application Deadline
Information
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