Bee Moorhead recently wrote a guest column for the Waco Triubne-Herald about steps that faith communities in Texas are taking to respond to global warming. She highlights the outstanding work of several Texas Impact and Texas Interfaith Power and Light member congregations. To read the full article, click here.

Final PUC Decision on Wind Transmission is Near

This is a critical moment in the effort to promote clean energy, green jobs and a sustainable energy future for Texas.

The state's Public Utility Commission (PUC) is about to select a plan for developing transmission lines to carry solar and wind energy from west Texas to the state's population centers.

Click here to sign the petition

Find out more

Texas Impact is here to help your voice be heard and to help you participate in the legislative process.

This summer we are hosting several health insurance town hall forums all around the state. These forums will give Texans the opportunity to share their concerns, questions, and stories about health insurance with their legislators and community members. Thus far, we have forums scheduled in the following cities; however, many more are in the works, so be sure to check back often.

Lubbock: July 29, 6:30 to 8pm Covenant Presbyterian Church

San Antonio: August 7, 6:30 to 8pm Location TBA

Garland: August 12, 6:30 to 8pm Buckingham United Methodist Church
Rio Grande Valley: September 9, 5:30 to 7pm Location TBA

El Paso: September 15, 7pm Location TBA

The next public conversation on health insurance will be Tuesday, July 29 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lubbock. Come share your story and participate in dialog with other members of your community about opportunities and challenges in our health insurance system. For more information call 512.472.3903 or email outreach@texasimpact.org 

"A revival for everyone who thinks the words "PROGRESSIVE" and "FAITH" belong together..."

Hosted by University Baptist Church

Come hear a word of challenge from one of the nation’s leading progressive religious voices. Rev. James Forbes is senior minister emeritus of Riverside Church in New York. He also leads the Healing of the Nations Foundation, which promotes peace, justice, inclusiveness, and environmental responsibility.

At a press conference at the Capitol yesterday, Texas Impact announced its statewide public outreach campaign to engage working Texans in the public policy debate around health care.

Along with Texas ACORN, Texas Public Interest Research Group, and Texas Legal Services, Texas Impact will host a series of town hall meetings around the state to discuss the need to improve access to quality, affordable health care. This campaign corresponds to the Sunset Commission's hearing on the Texas Department of Insurance, which gives a rare opportunity for significant improvements in Texas' private health insurance market.

Click on these NEWS links to read more:

Dallas Morning News

El Paso Times

The Quorum Report (Click "Daily Buzz")

A broad coalition including consumers, physicians, religious institutions, seniors, patients, homeowners, labor, and others united in a press conference on Tuesday behind an agenda designed to create a healthy insurance market which strengthens protections for patients, homeowners, and drivers while ensuring stability for the industry. The press conference preceded the Texas Sunset Commission's public hearing on the Texas Department of Insurance.

Watch the Press Conference (requires QuickTime Media Player--Download QuickTime Player for free )

Today's episode of TEXAS POLITICS TODAY will cover the most important state agency you've never heard of -- the Sunset Advisory Commission.  Every two years, the Sunset Commission's staff and members examine an array of state agencies, boards and commissions to decide how well they're doing their job and if they should be continued.  Their recommendations to the Legislature sometimes have far-reaching consequences.