Preparing to be an effective advocate for the 2027 Texas legislative session
The Texas Legislature will convene in January 2027, and interim committees are currently studying a host of issues, including childcare, artificial intelligence, indigent defense funding, healthcare, food access, gun violence, affordable housing, flood mitigation and data centers.
LifeLong Learning San Marcos is hosting a series of classes at the San Marcos library beginning April 9 at 6 p.m. to discuss these issues and provide attendees with insights into the legislative process.
If you want to advocate for one of these issues – or any issue considered by the Legislature – this course is for you! It’s not too early to start since bills for the 2027 session can be filed beginning in November.
Most policymakers deeply appreciate thoughtful, constructive communication from their constituents, which can break through the noise of lobbyists and special interest groups. To effectively communicate your ideas to legislators it is critical to understand the political and policymaking environment in which they work, what information is most helpful to them and how best to present it, and strategies for making sure you are heard.
- Session 1 (April 9) – Strategic insights into politics and the policymaking process to help frame your approach to presenting your ideas.
- Session 2 (April 16) – Information on the organization and workings of the Texas Legislature as well as tools for research and bill tracking.
- Session 3 (April 30) – Specific framework for crafting communications to policymakers as well as strategies to amplify your voice by partnering with others.
These sessions will be hosted by Stephanie Korcheck. As the policy analyst for the Texas Senate Education Committee from 1992-1996, Korcheck assisted in drafting and negotiating legislation creating the state’s public school accountability and finance systems in 1993 and rewriting the entire Texas Education Code in 1995. She then helped launch the State Board for Educator Certification, serving as its director of policy and planning.
At Texas State University, Korcheck taught in the principal preparation program, developing and teaching a course on politics, policymaking, education law, and the school finance and accountability systems. She also served as the College of Education’s Research Coordinator for Proposal Development, supporting faculty members in securing funding for their research.
Email lifelonglearningsm@ gmail.com to register. Registration is required for room set-up. Sessions take place Thursdays from 6-7:15 p.m. on April 9, 16 and 30 at the San Marcos Public Library, Room A.
