Colyandro Public Affairs Forms Texas Workforce Commission Sunset Steering Committee

Colyandro Public Affairs (CPA) has convened the TWC Sunset Steering Committee, bringing together  policy advocates to strengthen Texas’ workforce system through improved transparency, accountability, and governance.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) administers more than 25 statutory programs, totaling $5.54 billion, that touch every county in the state, and sits at the intersection of childcare, job training, unemployment, vocational rehabilitation, and adult education. It is one of the largest public investments Texas makes in its working families and adults seeking employment.

This diverse portfolio of federal and state workforce programs with requires TWC to ensure fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and effective program administration. While these responsibilities are essential, the workforce system has limited mechanisms to consistently evaluate whether programs are achieving their intended statutory purposes and delivering measurable outcomes for workers, employers, and taxpayers. Federal oversight primarily emphasizes fiscal management and program compliance, diminishing focus on long-term workforce and economic outcomes. The state should be concerned with outcomes.

To that end, CPA convened a focused external advisory body, operating in parallel with the Sunset process to support TWC. It is a tight panel, with complementary expertise and the credibility to produce legislative-ready recommendations. 

The following participating organizations bring expertise in employer demand, education, economic mobility, child development, and public investment:

• Child Poverty Action Lab
• Center for Employment Opportunities
• EdTrust in Texas
• Children at Risk
• Texas Business Leadership Council
• United Ways of Texas

The committee’s work will be organized around six specific areas where statutory or rule change can increase accountability and transparency:

• The committee submitted its first letter of support on September 29, 2026. 

Through the 2027 legislative session, the Sunset Steering Committee will work with the Sunset Advisory Commission, TWC, the Office of the Governor, and legislative leaders to bring research and practical experience to policy discussions, build support for shared priorities, and support implementation following enactment. Our goal is a coordinated, accountable workforce system that delivers measurable results for Texas workers, employers, families, and taxpayers.

For more information, please contact gretchen@colyandropublicaffairs.com