It's a new year, and here at TPEA, we're looking ahead at what's coming up in 2026. Big things are happening here as well as at the Capitol. Let's dive in!
We are currently in The Interim; the year between legislative sessions. But don't let that name fool you; there is lots happening during this year, and all of it directly impacts the next session.
First and foremost, it's election time. With the primaries happening on March 3, and the general election on November 3, there's no shortage of information and news about candidates and seats up for grabs. In the Texas legislature, there are a number of seats that will be on the ballot:
TPEA is non-partisan and we do not endorse candidates. But we do encourage all state employees and retirees to educate themselves on the local and state officials that are up for election and how they stand on the issues affecting you. Learn how your local representatives voted HERE. You can also look up all your local and state legislators HERE.
Second, the budget cycle begins this year. This is the process in which state agencies put together their LARs (Legislative Appropriations Request) to be presented at the Joint Budget Hearings. This process generally kicks off around the summer, and TPEA attends every hearing for agencies requesting funding for targeted and across the board pay raises. We provide data and research on the importance of regular salary increases, and how it serves both employees and agencies. Visit our Biennial Budget Cycle blog post for a more in depth description of this process.
It's our birthday and we're turning 80! It's hard to believe that it's been 80 years since a group of TxDOT employees founded TPEA to ensure they were properly respected and compensated for their vital work for Texas. Times have changed, but the mission and the dedication remains the same. State employees and retirees have done so much for Texas; we're honored to do the work for you.
We'll be sharing more details soon, but there will be a member celebration to commemorate our 80th year, as well as a look back at TPEA's history and milestones. There's also a fun secret project in the works that we can't wait to share!
In addition to our birthday, we're also looking forward to rolling out new educational and developmental resources later this year. You've provided valuable feedback regarding what benefits TPEA can offer, and continued education and resources was most frequently mentioned. As we begin offering these opportunities later this year, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback with us. We want to be more than just your advocate at the Capitol; we want to be a trusted partner that provides value in all areas of your life.
The interim is a lot like the off season in sports; the hard work done during this time lays the groundwork for a winning season. We're taking the time in 2026 to lay a solid foundation for a successful 90th legislative session in 2027. We hope you'll be a part of the next 80 years of TPEA, and we thank our members for being on this journey with us.