The Governor's Committee to Support the Military has released its 2024 report with policy recommendations aimed at improving education, healthcare, and well-being for military families in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, "Texas proudly supports our military families and communities," noting that more than 1.7 million veterans and military personnel call Texas home, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
The report comes with several key recommendations, including mitigating the loss of property tax revenue due to a disabled veterans residence homestead exemption and adopting policies for concurrent jurisdiction to better handle juvenile crimes on military installations. The committee pointed to the need for stable resources in substantially impacted communities as Texas vies to maintain the competitiveness of its military installations and stave off potential downsides from future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions.
Another recommendation involves the Military Child Education Coalition, with the committee urging continued funding for the organization to be ensured by the Legislature through the Texas Education Agency's budget. This funding is essential, considering the specific educational challenges faced by children in military households. Additionally, the report proposes measures to facilitate employment for military spouses, including a temporary work licensure process and state-level job listing strategies that prioritize this unique demographic, thereby improving their career prospects within Texas.
On the workforce front, the committee also recommends enhancing the bond between Texas educational providers and the skill demands of the military installation and industries. This includes encouraging investments from educational institutions to cater to the advanced manufacturing and technology sectors – a growing field in Texas. To further support military installations, the report suggests fully funding the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program at $75 million.
The Office of the Texas Governor report also highlights the need to protect military areas from encroachment and suggests exploring new laws to prevent foreign adversary ownership of land near military installations. These measures are essential for ensuring the security of Texas' military operations. The Committee, established in September 2018, includes up to 22 members, such as veterans, community, and business leaders.
