Swift action is needed by Texas leaders to maintain the state’s economic success, according to findings in the Texas Strategic Economic Development Plan 1998-2008. At a recent meeting of the North Houston Association’s (NHA) Business Issues & Resources Committee, Martin Basaldua, M.D., of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission, presented findings of the “Texas Strategic Economic Development Plan 1998- 2008.”

“Unless action is taken now, more and more of the Texas population will be contributing less and less to the economic viability of the state,” stated Basaldua. “As a result, Texas will decline as an economic leader; and all Texas citizens will enjoy less of the rewards of a strong economy.”
This startling implication is based on demographic trends highlighted in the Texas Strategic Economic Development Plan 1998-2008.

According to the presentation, Texas’ minority populations are growing rapidly. There will be no majority ethnic group by 2007, and the Hispanic population will be the largest ethnic section by the year 2030. Basaldua also stated that Texas’ minority populations continue to have the least access to education and training and are disproportionately over-rep- resented in the lowest income ranges. In order to prevent this from occurring, or to soften the blow, the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission is recommending a number of strategies for education and workforce development.

One strategy is to substantially improve students’ basic educational performance by implementing more rigorous academic standards, preserving and strengthening Texas’ strong accountability system and by enhancing teacher preparedness and continued proficiency. The Commission also calls for strengthening of skill-based job training in the Texas education system by fostering innovation and support of school-to-career linkages and supporting higher education linkages to business and economic development. Production of a workforce training system that meets the needs of Texas’ businesses and employees is another strategy listed by the Commission. Basaldua also discussed higher education and other strategic economic goals, as well as recommended strategies for improving the business climate in the state.

The Commission also made recommendations for future infrastructure development, including developing Texas’ telecommunications network to meet international standards with full statewide access, ensuring that Texas’ transportation infrastructure fully leverages the state’s unique geographical position, and securing adequate water availability for business expansion, agriculture and population growth.

Finally, the Commission issued recommendations to promote broad-based prosperity: support targeted job creation in distressed areas, enhance the resources of universities and colleges in distressed areas and focus rural development efforts by building on specific regional competitive advantages.
To review the Commission’s report, visit the web at: www.governor.state.tx.us/ majorinitiatives/ initiatives economic.html. ■