AARO advances policies to enhance the economic and social well-being of Central Texas by engaging regional leaders in data-driven deliberative action, built on a foundation of data, and shaped by wisdom, vision and dedication to our region's future in five priority areas: Health, Education, Social Equity, Transportation and Water.
Water
Ahead in 2019
The Water Committee will continue to explore the issue of ensuring an affordable and sustainable water supply for Central Texas. The Committee will also monitor the Region K Water Planning Group’s efforts to initiate the process to determine whether the most recent drought was a drought worse than the drought of record.
Ahead in 2019
The Health Committee will continue its educational programming on the issues and possible policy solutions to reduce the stigma of mental illness. In addition, the committee will lean into its goal by hosting a luncheon to educate business and thought leaders about the myths and facts of mental and behavioral health disorders and way to responsibly and fairly address the issue in the work place.
Education
Ahead in 2019
The P-16 Education Committee will continue to explore issues related to quality teaching and to use its understanding to determine if there is an AARO-appropriate initiative to improve education outcomes through excellence in teaching.
Ahead in 2019
The Transportation Committee is continuing its regional governance study and will bring leaders throughout the region together to learn about the issues and consider how changes in transportation governance might make a stronger system for the long-term.
Ahead in 2019
The Social Equity Committee’s focus will remain on understanding the institutional racism and systemic inequities that exist and how they impact all issues. AARO is encouraging all AARO members to participate in the Beyond Diversity seminar, sponsored by the Austin Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Systemic Inequities. The Committee aims to move beyond good intentions and deliberately work to cultivate an internal lens to understand the barriers to success for people who are not members of the majority culture.