Representative James Talarico
Texas House of Representatives - District 50
Representative James Talarico is a former public school teacher and education non-profit leader who was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018. He earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University. Rep. Talarico currently serves on the Public Education Committee, the House Administration Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee. He was named one of the Top 10 Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine for his accomplishments. During his three terms in office, Rep. Talarico has passed legislation to establish the first-ever cap on pre-K class sizes in Texas, equip schools with Narcan to fight teen overdoses, improve the quality and affordability of childcare, dramatically reduce prescription drug costs, and give incarcerated minors the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma. He is currently a student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in addition to his work as a legislator.
Panel Information
EDUCATION - Roadblocks to Opportunity: The Impact of Recent Policy Shifts on Public Education
10:00 - 10:45 pm
This session will examine the escalating threats to public education, focusing on recent federal budget cuts to key programs like Head Start, proposals to dismantle the Department of Education, and the expansion of charter schools and school voucher initiatives. Panelists—experts in education policy and advocacy—will also discuss the impact of immigration enforcement actions, such as ICE raids on schools, on immigrant children and their communities. The conversation will highlight how these developments disproportionately affect Latino, immigrant, and low-income students, and explore strategies for communities to respond and advocate for equitable education.