The Future of Urban Texas, Hosted by The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune is pleased to present its "Future of" series, exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Texas' government, business and civic communities. Join us as we travel to Houston for two days of conversations on an array of topics, including education, poverty, transportation, public health, housing, taxes, economic development, and the impact of precipitous population growth and dynamic demographic change on the way cities are governed, funded and developed. This program will feature panels, one-on-one interviews and deep-dive discussions with thought leaders from around the state, inside the Capitol and across the country. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 5:30pm: Registration Opens 6-7:15pm: Urban Texas and the Legislature State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston State Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place State Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune 7:15pm: Welcome Reception FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 8am: Breakfast & Registration Opens 8:30am: Welcome & Program Begins 8:40-9:40am: Ensuring Urban Health Elena Marks, president and CEO of the Episcopal Health Foundation State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston Stephen Williams, director of the Houston Health Department Moderated by Juan Pablo Garnham, urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune 9:55-10:55am: The Challenge of Affordability State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston Christine Drennon, director of urban studies at Trinity University Myriam Igoufe, vice president of policy development & research at DHA Moderated by Juan Pablo Garnham, urban affairs reporter for The Texas Tribune 11:10am-12:10pm: Investing in Transportation Sue Bauman, member of the DART board of directors Delia Garza, mayor pro tem for the City of Austin and vice chair of the Capital Metro board of directors Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments Sanjay Ram, member of the METRO board of directors Moderated by Kyle Shelton, deputy director of The Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University 12:10pm: Lunch 1-2pm: A Conversation with the Mayors Steve Adler, mayor of Austin Betsy Price, mayor of Fort Worth Sylvester Turner, mayor of Houston Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune 2:15-3:15pm: Educating the Next Generation Pedro Martinez, Superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District Joe May, chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District Moderated by Evan Smith, CEO of The Texas Tribune Additional panelists will be announced shortly. Event Details This event will take place in the Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium on the third floor of the Academic Building at the University of Houston–Downtown. It is free and open to the public. Light bites and a cash bar will be available at the reception on Thursday, Nov. 14. The program on Nov. 15 will include a light breakfast and lunch. Parking & Transportation Details Parking on campus is limited and public transportation or alternative transportation is highly recommended. METRO operates a light rail line that stops on Main Street in front of UHD's campus. A number of bus routes also serve UHD's campus. More information can be found here. Paid parking is available in the Welcome Center Garage (201 Girard St., map). The Welcome Center Garage is at the corner of Travis and Girard Streets. Additional parking is available at nearby metered parking lots (parking information). Parking fees are not included with registration.