The 90th Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 12, 2027, leaving public pension trustees and administrators a limited window to prepare for discussions about issues affecting their retirement systems and members. TEXPERS is helping System Members prepare through its 2026 Legislative Advocacy Workshop, set for Oct. 27-28 at the Hyatt Centric Congress Austin.

The day-and-a-half program focuses on the Texas legislative process and the practical skills public pension leaders need to communicate with members of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives.

The workshop takes place less than three months before the legislative session begins. The timing gives system leaders an opportunity to review their messages, consider how policy proposals may affect their plans and prepare to explain those effects to lawmakers and legislative staff.

Gagen Leads First-Day Training

Legislative grassroots trainer Joe Gagen guides attendees through the legislative process during an interactive session on the workshop’s first day. It is his return as a trainer to TEXPERS.

Gagen brings experience from more than 700 legislative training and planning programs for national and state associations. His work includes programs in 28 states and Washington, D.C.

His background includes service as general counsel to the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee and chair of the Texas agency responsible for workers’ compensation. He also served as CEO of Texas CASA, a statewide nonprofit that advocates for children in foster care, from 2006 to 2011. In 2022, he taught public policy communications at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Gagen’s training focuses on the environment in which public policy decisions are made and the role clear, informed communication plays in the process. Participants examine how to communicate with policymakers, work with legislative staff and develop advocacy strategies around issues important to their systems.

Practical Preparation for System Leaders

The workshop helps trustees and administrators:

• Understand the Texas legislative process and its participants
• Communicate their retirement system’s story in clear, practical terms
• Build working relationships with legislators and legislative staff
• Prepare for meetings with Senate and House offices
• Discuss issues affecting Texas public retirement systems and their members

The program serves System Members with varying levels of advocacy experience. It provides an introduction for those who have not met with legislators and a refresher for experienced system leaders preparing for another session.

Workshop Details

TEXPERS 2026 Legislative Advocacy Workshop
Dates: Oct. 27-28, 2026
Location: Hyatt Centric Congress Austin
Address: 721 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas

Registration and additional workshop information are available on the TEXPERS event website.

About the Author: Allen Jones is the director of communications and event marketing for TEXPERS, where he leads editorial strategy, member communications, conference marketing, and digital engagement initiatives for Texas public employee retirement systems. He began his journalism career in 1998 and has worked in journalism and communications for more than 25 years.