Young Invincibles thanks the legislative leaders and staff who listened to the voice of young people , and championed students this session!

Faced with a global pandemic, a devastating winter storm, and attacks against health and voting access, young people showed up and showed out for authentic, radical change. Our Youth Advisory Board and Young Advocates championed policies across college affordability, student loan debt, supports for postsecondary success, workforce development, health care, and voting rights. We engaged in digital storytelling and training, supported decision makers on key solutions, gave invited testimony, and educated young people about top issues. We were in deep community together, every day, online, moving a youth-led policy agenda forward. Our advocacy culminated with our first ever virtual advocacy week, where we virtually engaged young people and legislative offices. We reached thousands of young Texans, and key legislators heard our voices. We remain firm in our vision toward a just and equitable Texas. 

Led the campaign for the Higher Education Mental Health Task Force!

Students across Texas joined us to ask the #txlege to take action on campus mental health, and the creation of a Higher Education Mental Health Task Force passed both the Texas House and Senate, and was sent to the Governor’s desk! Young Advocates met with offices, spoke about their experiences, and shared our letter of support from 29 health and higher education organizations. Although this legislation was vetoed by Governor Abbott, we remain steadfast in advocacy for mental health access across Texas public colleges.

Amplified the voices of young people on the importance of comprehensive health coverage. Throughout this session, we shared the voices of young people on critical legislation toward affordable and comprehensive health care. We advocated in support of HB 133, which passed to ensure new moms have six months of coverage postpartum- an increase from just two months. Amidst this progress, we will continue to advocate for the solution young adults need: a comprehensive health coverage option for those in the Medicaid gap. 

Built momentum for student wellness and supports, with our Twitter Townhall reaching three million views and TX Rally engaging students toward policy change. We joined students, partners, and legislators to discuss student health and support, and lifted the voices of students amidst the pandemic and winter storm crisis.  We testified for HB 3462, sharing stories from parenting students about why it’s so important for public colleges in Texas to identify a parenting student liaison. Our written testimony in support of SB 165, which passed to provide course drop flexibility during disasters, uplifted student perspectives on the importance of academic flexibility.

Paved the way for Student Loan Debt Consumer Protections. Just after releasing our Student Debt in Texas report, we were thrilled to see the introduction of SB 1859, a comprehensive student loan debt consumer protections bill that would have created a state student loan ombudsman. While it didn’t pass this session, Advocates led meetings with offices on the importance of student debt action and consumer protection policy, paving the way for the future. We also worked with partners toward the passage of SB 1019, resulting in disaggregated student debt demographic data.