# Government Performance

**High-quality, cost-effective public services drive economic growth, improve Texans’ quality of life, and build trust in government.**

Public sector services must reliably address the challenges they are created to solve. Well-administered government services — particularly in the areas of education, workforce development, justice and safety, health care, and infrastructure — establish strong foundations for economic growth and prosperity. Moreover, programs that address real problems increase trust in government.

**Budgets should emphasize operational stability, invest in long-term needs, and minimize liabilities.** The state should ensure its revenue structure remains stable and sustainable for wise investments in Texas’ future. Volatile and variable revenue sources contribute to unstable budgeting environments, weakening the capacity to consistently fund key government services. Public expenditures should align with long-term needs, and all unfunded liabilities should be addressed responsibly. Currently, long-term liabilities account for two-thirds of state obligations, and Texas ranks in the bottom third among its 12 peer states on revenue volatility.

**State government must prioritize advanced technologies, better data, and a talented workforce to spur growth and innovation.** Antiquated information technology systems, insufficient data, and high workforce turnover make the government less capable of providing core services and fixing real problems. State leaders can significantly improve services and accountability by investing in talent and funding proven modern information technology, enhanced cybersecurity, and better data and analytics.

**Texas must be disaster-ready.** Texas is prone to a wide range of natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornados, floods, wildfires, drought, hail, and severe storms. Disaster events threaten life, property, economic stability, and natural resources. Therefore, Texas must also invest in crisis readiness to plan for increasingly likely natural disasters; the state is currently ranked ninth among peer states on an index of crisis preparedness.

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#### Goal 26: Confidence in Government
Texans have confidence in the public institutions that serve them.

#### Goal 27: Civic Engagement
Texans actively participate in governing their communities.

#### Goal 28: Fiscal Sustainability
Texas needs stable, reliable revenue sources to finance state operations, invest in long-term growth, and minimize liabilities.

#### Goal 29: Competitive Taxes
State tax rates attract and retain businesses while sustaining government operations and investments.

#### Goal 30: Long-Term Obligations
Texas strategically manages state expenditures to deliver the best value to taxpayers.

#### Goal 31: Talent in Government
The public sector attracts and retains the talent needed to deliver excellent service and get results.

#### Goal 32: Proven Modern Methods
The Texas state government uses data-driven and proven modern methods to drive towards shared goals.

#### Goal 33: Crisis Readiness
Texas is ready to address the human, economic, and environmental consequences of natural disasters.