10. Shaping The Future of Texas: AJ Rodriguez on Policy and Progress

Despite facing contention and bipartisan challenges, AJ Rodriguez leads Texas 2036 in achieving record-breaking funding for education, healthcare, natural resources, and infrastructure during the state's regular legislative session. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the power of data in shaping policy solutions with Texas 2036 as a case study. Understand the role of regionalism in overcoming housing and transportation issues. Examine the need for constitutional reform in addressing state growth complexities. Investigate San Antonio's increasing importance in the advanced manufacturing sector. Contemplate the idea of a floating pay scale for enhancing the compensation of elected officials. Meet AJ Rodriguez, a passionate advocate for data-driven policy solutions and the Executive Vice President of Texas 2036, a nonpartisan public policy think tank. With his extensive background in both public service and the private sector, AJ's leadership and experience bring a unique perspective to the table. Previously, he served as the President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio and as the Deputy City Manager under City Manager Cheryl Scully. AJ has a knack for making big-picture policy ideas a reality, and his dedication to bipartisan cooperation makes him a key player in Texas' future growth.